By reading the values of hematocrit level, you can know the proportion of RBC (Red Blood Corpuscles) in the blood. In the given blood sample, the level of hematorcit indicates the percentage of RBC. Any blood sample contains red blood cells (RBC) and white blood cells (WBC). Very often, the reading is recorded automatically in the machine or equipment that performs blood testing.
By what ways it can be measured?
You can get the level of hematocrit in the complete blood count testing procedure. It also signifies the hemoglobin concentration in the blood sample. Further the CBC test also indicates the reading of 3 major blood cell lines.
Alternatively you can also use the simple method of “spun hematocrit” testing in centrifugal tube. The collected blood sample is dropped into the capillary tube which is sealed with wax to prevent spilling.
Then it is placed in centrifuge and on rotation, the red blood cells gets collected at the bottom of the capillary tube forming a clear red column or line. Next is the white blood cell which is observed in the form of straw color. You need to write down the height of the red blood cells column. Then divide this value by the total capillary tube column. The answer obtained gives the value of hematocrit level or red blood cell percentage in the total blood.
What is the normal hematocrit level?