A hematocrit (he-MAT-uh-krit) test measures the proportion of red blood cells in the blood . Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body. Having too few or too many of them can be a sign of certain diseases. The hematocrit test is a simple blood test. It is sometimes referred to as a packed-cell volume test. The hematocrit is usually done on a person with symptoms of anemia. An anemic person has fewer or smaller than normal red cells. A low hematocrit , combined with other abnormal blood tests, confirms the diagnosis. Hematocrit is the percentage of a person's blood volume that is red blood cells. Learn. more about how doctors diagnose and treat this condition. A hematocrit test is a simple blood test that measures the percentage of red blood cells in your blood . Red blood cells are important because they carry oxygen throughout your body.
