What is hgb and hct

Learn about the causes, diagnosis, treatment, and…. MCHC is the average concentration of hemoglobin in your red blood cells.

Find out how a low MCHC level is diagnosed and what conditions it may point…. Sideroblastic anemia is a group of blood disorders. In all cases, the bone marrow has difficulty producing normal, healthy red blood cells. Normal hemoglobin levels can vary based on several factors, including age and sex.

The presence of Heinz bodies on a blood smear test indicates oxidative damage to the hemoglobin in red blood cells. Conditions associated with Heinz…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Why do I need the Hgb test? What are the ranges for the test results?

What are the symptoms of low hemoglobin? What are the causes of low hemoglobin? What are the symptoms of high hemoglobin? What are the causes of high hemoglobin? In some cases, dehydration causes polycythemia.

When a person does not drink enough, their plasma levels drop, and this increases the proportion of red blood cells in their blood volume.

A person can lower their red blood cell count by rehydrating. Some conditions that can cause high hematocrit levels include :. When the lungs cannot absorb oxygen effectively and oxygen levels drop, the body compensates by making more red blood cells. One common pulmonary disease causing this is COPD. Learn more about COPD here. To try and overcome the oxygen deficit the body produces more red blood cells. Learn more about heart disease here. Sometimes kidney cancer cells create more erythropoietin.

Erythropoietin is a hormone that tells the bone marrow to create more red blood cells. Learn more about kidney cancer here. The JAK2 gene , which controls the number of blood cells made in the bone marrow, can affect certain conditions. When someone has a mutated JAK2 gene, the body could make a protein that signals the bone marrow to create more red blood cells than it needs. Learn more about genetic disorders here. A person should speak with a doctor if they are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above that could be a sign of high or low hematocrit levels, including fatigue, weakness, vision problems, and dizziness.

These symptoms can also indicate an underlying condition, so it is important that a person contact a doctor in a timely manner to prevent future complications. If a person is receiving chemotherapy treatment, a doctor should perform regular hematocrit tests to monitor bone marrow health. A low hematocrit level means the are too few red blood cells in the body.

In these cases, a person may experience symptoms that signal anemia. Common symptoms include fatigue, weakness, and low energy. If a person has too many red blood cells, they have a high hematocrit level. A person may experience dizziness and headaches, which can be a sign of the condition polycythemia.

For example, males tend to have higher levels than females. Pregnant individuals can experience a decrease in hematocrit levels, and strength training may also reduce levels. Normal hematocrit levels vary based on age and race..

A hematocrit level below the normal range, meaning the person has too few red blood cells, is called anemia. A hematocrit level above the normal range, meaning too many red blood cells, may indicate polycythemia or erythrocytosis. Your doctor may test your hematocrit levels if you show signs of having anemia, polycythemia or erythrocytosis. Symptoms of anemia include fatigue, shortness of breath and dizziness.

Symptoms of polycythemia include fatigue, itching, headaches, and sweating. Symptoms of erythrocytosis includes headaches, dizziness, shortness of breath, and nosebleeds. Lung disease Congenital heart disease Polycythemia vera If your results are not in the normal range, it doesn't necessarily mean that you have a medical condition requiring treatment. Is there anything else I need to know about a hematocrit test?

References American Society of Hematology [Internet]. Washington D. Blood Basics; [cited Feb 20]; [about 2 screens]. Hematocrit; p. Mayo Clinic [Internet]. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; c— Hematocrit Test: Overview; May 26 [cited Feb 20]; [about 2 screens].

Hematocrit: The Test; [updated Oct 29; cited Feb 20]; [about 4 screens]. Hematocrit: At a Glance; [updated Oct 29; cited Feb 20]; [about 2 screens]. Bethesda MD : U.