It is often performed in conjunction with a hemoglobin (Hb) level and is also one component of the complete blood count (CBC), a test that is often used in the general evaluation of a person’s health. The hematocrit is a fairly quick and simple way of evaluating a person’s red blood cells and checking for conditions such as anemia. Lower hematocrit values in women during their reproductive years also may be due to excessive loss of blood during menstruation. Thus, testosterone contributes to higher hematocrits in males. The hormone testosterone, present in much higher concentration in males than in females, stimulates synthesis of erythropoietin (EPO), the hormone that in turn stimulates production of red blood cells (RBCs). A hematocrit of 40 indicates that 40% of the volume of blood is composed of red blood cells (RBCs). The normal hematocrit range for adult males is 40 to 54% (average = 47%) for adult females it is 38 to 46% (average = 42%). Platelets stick together to seal small cuts or breaks on blood vessel walls and stop bleeding. White blood cells (WBCs) and platelets (thrombocytes) also are made in your bone marrow. Red blood cells are made in your bone marrow-a sponge-like tissue inside the bones. They also remove carbon dioxide (a waste product) from your body’s cells and carry it to the lungs to be exhaled. Red blood cells carry oxygen to all parts of your body. For example, a hematocrit value of 40% means that there are 40 milliliters of red blood cells in 100 milliliters of blood. The value is expressed as a percentage or fraction. The hematocrit is a ratio of the volume of red blood cells to the volume of all these components together, called whole blood. Blood consists of red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), and platelets (thrombocytes) suspended in a fluid portion called plasma (see Figure 1). The hematocrit measures the volume of red blood cells (RBCs) compared to the total blood volume (red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and plasma). Hematocrit is a blood test that measures the proportion of a person’s blood that is made up of red blood cells (RBCs) or the percentage of total blood volume occupied by red blood cells (RBCs).

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