Hematocrit blood test

Red blood cells carry oxygen. A lower hematocrit can occur with anaemia, blood loss, nutritional deficiency, inflammation or reduced red-cell production, including kidney problems. A higher result can reflect dehydration or increased red-cell concentration. Meaning depends on the laboratory range, hydration, pregnancy status and haemoglobin.

Most measurements use a routine blood sample. Follow instructions for accompanying tests; do not take iron simply because a result looks low. A clinician may repeat the test, review diet and bleeding history, examine the full blood count or arrange further tests. Mention heavy periods, digestive symptoms, recent illness and chronic conditions.

Contact a clinician promptly for an unexpected result with marked tiredness, breathlessness, dizziness, paleness, fast heartbeat or unusual bleeding. Seek urgent care for fainting, severe breathlessness, chest pain, confusion, black stools or heavy bleeding. A result alone does not identify its cause.

What was my result and laboratory range? How do haemoglobin and other blood-count measures affect interpretation? Could hydration, bleeding, diet or chronic illness be involved? Do I need repeat testing?