Why would HGB and hct be low?
Possible causes of low Hgb include: lack of iron in your diet, which makes it harder for your bone marrow to produce Hgb. lack of folate or vitamin B-12, which can lead to your body producing fewer red blood cells than are needed. severe blood loss after surgery or a major injury.
What are normal HGB and hct levels?
Results
| Red blood cell count | Male: 4.35-5.65 trillion cells/L* (4.35-5.65 million cells/mcL**) Female: 3.92-5.13 trillion cells/L (3.92-5.13 million cells/mcL) |
|---|---|
| Hemoglobin | Male: 13.2-16.6 grams/dL*** (132-166 grams/L) Female: 11.6-15 grams/dL (116-150 grams/L) |
| Hematocrit | Male: 38.3-48.6 percent Female: 35.5-44.9 percent |
What is an hct blood test?
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.
What does high HGB and hct mean?
A high hemoglobin count occurs most commonly when your body requires an increased oxygen-carrying capacity, usually because: You smoke. You live at a high altitude and your red blood cell production naturally increases to compensate for the lower oxygen supply there.
What does HGB mean in relation to HCT?
HGB — or hemoglobin — is the amount of HGB in a specific volume of blood. As HGB is the oxygen-carrying protein within RBCs, the HCT and HGB are closely linked. When one falls, the other generally falls as well. Both HCT and HGB provide approximations of the number of RBCs contained in the blood, and low values indicate the presence of anemia.
How can I tell if I have low HGB and HCT?
Causes of Low HGB and Low HCT. Figuring out hematocrit levels in the blood is done through Mean Corpuscular Volume or MCV and Red Cell Distribution Width or RDW. These tests determine whether someone is suffering from low Hgb and/or low HCT levels in their blood and can help doctors determine a cause.
What does HCT stand for in medical terms?
Also known as a packed-cell volume (PCV) test, the HCT is a simple blood test usually done along with other tests to help doctors determine whether you have a blood or bone marrow disorder, nutritional deficiency, or other condition.
What is the normal HCT level for a 10 year old?
For children who are ten years old, the normal Hct range is the same as that for adult females. Depending on which lab carries out the blood tests, the results may differ slightly. Low Hct level is any level below the normal hematocrit range, taking into consideration age and sex.