05/06/2023
CBC/FBC Learning
Haematocrit (HCT) or Packed Cell Volume:
PCV or HCT is the volume of packed red cells obtained after centrifugation of a sample of anticoagulated venous or capillary blood. It is expressed either as a percentage of volume of whole blood or as a decimal fraction.
Factors that can affect the Haematocrit:
Living at a high altitude
Pregnancy
Significant recent haemorrhage
Recent blood transfusion
Severe dehydration
Causes associated with high haematocrit:
Dehydration
Polycythaemia vera (a myeloproliferative disorder associated with the production of excessive numbers of red cells)
Lung or heart disease
Administering of Testosterone supplement therapy.
Dengue fever (high haematocrit is a danger sign of an increased risk of dengue shock syndrome).
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Other pulmonary conditions associated with hypoxia.
Doping or erythropoietin (EPO)
Use of Anabolic androgenic steroid (AAS)
Capillary leak syndrome
Causes associated with low haematocrit:
Associated with long-term illness, infection or a white blood cell disorder such as leukemia or lymphoma.
Vitamin or mineral deficiencies.
Lung or heart disease Recent or long-term haemorrhage.
Ref.Erhabor O, et al. Interpretation of Full Blood Count Parameters in Health and Disease. Haematol Int
J 2021, 5(1): 00180.
