Understanding Your Results
Blood Hematocrit and Hemoglobin
The hematocrit is a measure of the fractional level of red cells in the blood. Red cells carry oxygen to the cells of the body. They are essentially bags of hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying molecule. Hemoglobin binds oxygen to iron atoms, which give the hemoglobin and thus the cells their distinctive red color. Decreased hematocrit or hemoglobin may indicate anemia, such as that caused by iron deficiency. Further testing may be necessary to determine the exact cause of the anemia.
Hematocrit
| |
Women |
Men |
| Low |
<36 |
<41 |
| Desirable |
36–47 |
41–51 |
Hemoglobin
| Low |
<12 |
<14 |
| Desirable |
12–16 |
14–17 |
Understanding Your Results
