Hematocrit test

Hematocrit test

Introduction

The hematocrit test, which is also called the packed cell volume fraction, is used to measure the volume or percentage of the red blood cells present in the human body. In women the volume is normally found to be 45 percent and in men it usually ranges from 40-42 percent. Hematocrit is also a part of the complete blood count. It is also used to check the status of ammonia. If the test is found to be low, it indicates that there is deficiency of iron in the human body.

Discussion

Purpose of the hematocrit test

The blood in the human body is made up of red and white blood cells and the plasma. If the red blood cells decrease in the body, the space also starts contracting which is occupied by the red blood cells. This result in lower hematocrit. On the other hand, if the red blood cells increase, the amount of space also starts expanding. This leads to a high hematocrit. Thalasemia is the disease that is caused by the increase number of red blood cells. (Sheil, 2000)

Procedure of the hematocrit test

In order to conduct the test for the hematocrit, the red blood cells must be separated from the liquid plasma in the entire blood sample. The red blood cells are usually separated with the help of centrifuge. The force that is exerted by the spinning motion of the centrifuge places the cells in to the lower end of the tube. In this way, the volume of both the cells and plasma can be measured. (Kee, 2001)

The procedure of the hematocrit involves the following steps.

The doctor must wash his hands with soap and water thoroughly and should dry his hand with paper towels.

Afterwards, the end of the tube is cleaned with the middle finger by using an alcohol swab ...