What is hct analysis and what are the reasons to perform it? What is the difference between HCT analysis and PCV analysis? The hematocrit test is one of the most important blood tests that the specialist asks for and may also be called PCV test Or the stacked erythrocyte volume test, an analysis based on measuring the ratio of red blood cells to total blood components. For example, if the hematocrit is 0.40, it means that there are 40 milliliters of red blood cells in 100 milliliters of blood. blood, since There are some cases that require some changes in the hematocrit value.

What is HCT Analysis?

• 1- An increase in the percentage of red blood cells relative to the total number of blood cells, as in dehydration.
• 2- A decrease in the percentage of red blood cells to less than normal, such as diseases that increase the destruction of red blood cells at excessive rates that greatly affect their size.
• Hematocrit analysis is important to know the ratio of red blood cell volume to total blood volume, which is of great benefit in diagnosing some diseases that mainly affect the blood, in addition to explaining the symptoms that occur in the patient.

Reasons for performing the analysis

Is the Hematocrit Test Important in Diagnosing Leukemia? It is usually necessary to perform several tests to know the correct values ​​​​of blood components and their ratios, the most important of which is the PCV test, to confirm or deny the initial diagnosis that leads to the onset of your symptoms , in addition to submitting for analysis with the desire to determine the response to the treatment plan for this previously diagnosed disease, on the other hand, this analysis is often requested, with the following cases:

1- Confirm your anemia diagnosis.

2- When you are dehydrated, the effect on some other components of the blood, such as plasma.

3- When you suffer from the effects of nutritional deficiencies and you suffer from a decrease in other blood components, such as vitamins that contribute to the formation of red blood cells.

4- It is required when leukemia is suspected, to show some distinctive signs in blood tests and many other diseases.

The specialist will ask you to perform a complete blood count (CBC), including a hematocrit test, in addition to some other tests, such as hemoglobin in the blood, and will make an appropriate diagnosis for you accordingly, and based on your next treatment plan. What is HCT analysis and what are the reasons for it?

How is the HCT analysis performed?

At the doctor’s recommendation to perform this analysis, the patient goes to the medical laboratory to have a specialist take a blood sample from which the hematocrit value is extracted, in addition to measuring some values ​​related to the blood content at the same time. The analyzes were also performed according to the following procedures:

1- The hematocrit is measured based on a report of the average values ​​of each of the hemoglobin and the volume of red blood cells, and based on the proportion and ratio of equations, the actual value of the hematocrit in the body is extracted.

2- By using a centrifuge, which is based on expelling the blood and separating its components so that the red blood cells flow to the bottom of the tube, a specialist visually calculates the volume of red blood cells in relation to the total blood volume.

HCT analysis is performed based on the blood sample taken from you, for a specialist to extract the value electronically or based on the percentages of hemoglobin and volume of erythrocytes, and a centrifuge can be used to perform the task.

Preparation for HCT analysis

Does fasting have an effect on HCT analysis? As usual the HCT analysis does not need any preparations prior to it as it is a very accurate analysis which is not affected by most of the circumstances around you but it is better to fast from food and drink before that especially if it is is accompanied by some other analyses, and you will get to know Details of the preparation for the analysis are as follows:

Pre-HCT analysis

Do you need to do anything before the analysis? The analysis is usually done without much preparation, unless it requires you to take other blood tests, in which case you should fast or not eat or drink for several hours before, in addition to following your doctor’s instructions. care, which guarantees efficiency Time and safety of the test, HCT analysis does not need to take preventive measures, given its safety, in addition to the accuracy of the medical results to be achieved.

during the HCT analysis

Is HCT only done by drawing blood from the elbow? The HCT test is needed to study one of the most important blood values, so the requirements for it are just like any other tests with no special considerations or circumstances as it is based on:

1. Clean the sampling area. .

2- He takes a blood sample from the elbow or the back of the hand. For children, a specialist may take a sample from the heel or tip of a finger and place it in a test strip.

3- Cover the recording site with gauze and a small bandage.

HCT analysis is performed through some traditional routine procedures with no addition or subtraction, where a specialist sends a blood sample from you in a short period of time and then takes all measures to reach a conclusion. What is HCT analysis and what are the reasons for it?

After the HCT analysis

What are the treatments used after HCT analysis? After conducting the analysis, it is necessary to consult a specialist doctor to find out the result of all the tests carried out, which can confirm or deny the initial diagnosis, since he will prescribe you the appropriate drugs by going to these analyzes to refer, the most important of which are the following:

1- When the tests indicate that you have anemia, you should take some simple steps that lead to an increase in the percentage of red blood cells and promote a safe diet, in addition to taking iron supplements or antibiotics if the cause is infection.

2- With a test that indicates a problem in the bone marrow, in addition to examining the lymph nodes, a bone marrow sample is taken from the hip joint.

3- A specialist may ask you to cut out certain habits that can contribute to the increase in red blood cell count, such as smoking and unhealthy diet.

The HCT analysis is followed by taking some measures that contribute to the treatment of a high or low percentage of it, or by performing some other tests to ensure the diagnosis of other pathological conditions.

Analysis results

So, what situations affect the accuracy of the analysis result? After you have performed the analysis, please note that the result of the analysis may vary and may not be stable, and Dr. Susan Salmon, assistant professor at Harvard University, says: “Blood test results can vary slightly depending on the lab, and many people may find that sometimes it approaches normal values, either by an increase or decrease, and this is a healthy thing that is not a cause for concern.After completing the examination, the specialist does the following:

1- Calculation of the ratio of red blood cells to the total number of blood cells.

2- Considering the magnitude of the change due to his age, race and gender.

3. The doctor collects each other’s symptoms and checking the amount of red blood cells accumulated in the blood provides a piece of information necessary for further diagnostic investigation.

The result of this analysis is affected by many cases where it may be necessary to ask the doctor to repeat the analysis or link it to other blood tests, and the main issues leading to conflicting information include:

1- Those who live at high altitudes.

2- It can be influenced by the result of the test during pregnancy.

3- The proportions of HCT results vary with bleeding, observation and recent blood loss.

4- I was severely dehydrated.

The analyzer will generate a typical PCV assay result by reference to normal values, in addition to taking into account the effect of the analysis on some other factors, such as pregnancy or dehydration. What is HCT analysis and what are the reasons for it?