What does Hgb and HCT tell you?
What does Hgb and HCT tell you?
What does Hgb and HCT tell you?
Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells and hematocrit is a measurement of the amount of red blood cells as related to total blood cell count. Both hemoglobin and hematocrit are used to diagnose anemia.
What does a low RBC Hgb and HCT mean?
Low RBC counts, hemoglobin and hematocrit levels can be caused by other things too, such as a lot of bleeding or malnutrition (not enough nutrients in the food eaten). Kidney disease, liver disease (cirrhosis), cancer, and medications used to treat cancer can also cause low levels.
Why would Hgb and HCT be high?
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 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 happens if your HCT is high?
If you’ve taken a hematocrit test and hematocrit is high, this means that you have more red blood cells than what’s considered to be healthy. High hematocrit levels could indicate underlying medical conditions like: Dehydration. Carbon monoxide poisoning.
What happens if HCT is low?
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.
What does HGB mean in a blood test?
Hemoglobin (Hb or Hgb) is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body. A low hemoglobin count is generally defined as less than 13.5 grams of hemoglobin per deciliter (135 grams per liter) of blood for men and less than 12 grams per deciliter (120 grams per liter) for women.
What does it mean if your HCT is high?
A higher than normal hematocrit can indicate: Dehydration. A disorder, such as polycythemia vera, that causes your body to produce too many red blood cells. Lung or heart disease.