The full form of HCT is hematocrit.
Hematocrit is a simple blood test that measures the percentage of red blood cells in your blood. It is often ordered as part of a complete blood count (CBC), which provides information on the three major types of blood cells: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
Why is hematocrit important?
A hematocrit test can help diagnose a variety of conditions, including:
- Anemia: A low hematocrit level indicates that your body is not producing enough red blood cells, which carry oxygen to your tissues.
- Dehydration: Dehydration can cause your hematocrit level to be higher than normal.
- Malnutrition: Certain types of malnutrition can also affect your hematocrit level.
- Leukemia: Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the blood-forming cells in your bone marrow. A hematocrit test may be used to monitor the progression of leukemia.
Other uses of HCT:
- Monitoring blood transfusions: Hematocrit levels are monitored during blood transfusions to ensure that the patient is receiving the correct amount of blood.
- Assessing athletes' performance: Hematocrit levels are also used to assess athletes' performance, as high hematocrit levels can improve oxygen delivery to muscles.
