MICROANATOMY

Detailed explanation-1: -Your hematocrit test results are reported as a number. That number is the percentage of your blood that’s made of red blood cells. For example, if your hematocrit test result is 42, it means that 42% of your blood is red blood cells and the rest is white blood cells, platelets, and blood plasma.

Detailed explanation-2: -A hematocrit (he-MAT-uh-krit) test measures the proportion of red blood cells in your blood. Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout your body. Having too few or too many red blood cells can be a sign of certain diseases. The hematocrit test, also known as a packed-cell volume (PCV) test, is a simple blood test.

Detailed explanation-3: -Using either a hematocrit reader or any ruled apparatus, measure the length of the column of the packed red cells and divide it by the length of the whole column of blood (cells and plasma), as in Figure 151.1. To obtain the hematocrit, multiply this number by 100%.

Detailed explanation-4: -A simple equation to calculate the hematocrit percent is to multiply the RBC count (in cells/L) by the MCV (in fL). Sample calculation for an RBC count of 4.68 × 1012/L and an MCV of 84.8 fL: Hematocrit = 4.68 × 10 12 / L × 84.8 × 10 – 15 L = 0.397 L / L ( or 39.7 % ) .

Detailed explanation-5: -A medical provider will need a small sample of blood to test your hematocrit. This blood can be drawn from a finger prick or taken from a vein in your arm. If the hematocrit test is part of a CBC, a lab technician will draw blood from a vein, typically from the inside of your elbow or from the back of your hand.