Hematocrit is a type of blood test that is taken as a part of the Complete Blood Count (CBC) test. Your blood is made up of Red Blood Cells (RBC), White Blood Cells (WBC), & Platelet counts. RBC contains a protein content called hemoglobin that helps in transporting the oxygen from your lungs to other parts of the body. Hematocrit (HCT) test measures how much of the RBC component is in your blood. Hematocrit levels can be elevated or lower than normal depicting any abnormal health conditions such as blood disorder, dehydration, and/or other medical condition.
- HCT Blood Test Cost
- What is the HCT in the Blood Test?
- What is HCT & Why is it Important?
- How is the CBC (HCT included) test performed?
- Is there any Preparation Required before the Test?
- Are there any risks in the CBC test?
- What does the HCT Test Result Mean?
- HCT Blood test high
- HCT Blood test low
- How to improve low HCT levels in blood?
- How to reduce high HCT levels in blood?
- Providers Locations
For our readers, who are very much interested in knowing the HCT Blood test cost beforehand, we would like to begin with that section.
HCT Blood Test Cost
The HCT test is not taken individually. HCT levels are known from the Complete Blood Count (CBC) Test, which is a panel of tests that also measures WBC, RBC, Platelets, Hemoglobin & a few other blood cell components.
The cost of the CBC test ranges between $28 and $39 in different labs and facilities across the U.S. No prior appointment is required. Compare the price, order your test online and visit the nearest lab during lab business hours. Complete the procedure and get the results in your email in 2 to 3 business days. Doctor consultation is also available for further treatment or for any kind of medical advice.
The following table shows the Complete Blood Count (CBC) test cost at 2 of our partner laboratories (CLIA – Certified) network located across the U.S.
Name of our Partner Labs | Book Online |
HealthLabs
| Offer Price$28 |
Personal Testing Labs
| Offer Price$39 |
Cost of CBC test cost with insurance
Many health insurance policies in the U.S. cover the cost of the complete blood count test when it is done once or twice a year. If your physician recommends you to take the Complete Blood Count test more than twice in a year, you may have to pay the medical bill out of pocket. Also, the coverage offered by private health insurance policies and national health insurance programs varies widely. So we recommend you to check with your insurance company.
Our CBC testing providers do not accept any health insurance. But, on request, they can provide you with a receipt containing all the details like the name and code of the test, and CPT code which is necessary for insurance reimbursement purposes.
What is HCT in a Blood Test?
Hematocrit blood test, which is pronounced as he-MAT-uh-krit, or also commonly knows as HCT blood test. HCT in your blood test is a measurement of the proportion of red blood cells in your bloodstream. Red blood cells play a vital role in carrying oxygen throughout your body with the help of hemoglobin. Unusually high or low HCT content in your blood may indicate anemic conditions or other medical conditions. The hematocrit (HCT) test is also called as packed-cell volume (PCV) test.
What is HCT & Why is it Important?
Hematocrit, HCT test is needed to evaluate the Red Blood Cells proportions in your blood. Low RBC count and/or low HCT implies that you’re affected by anemia. When your healthcare provider suspects that you are affected by anemia, then you’ll be asked to take an HCT blood test.
This, HCT blood is a part of the Complete Blood Count (CBC) test, which measures all the other components of the blood, including RBC, WBC, Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC), & a few more important blood components that are required to calculate your blood cell health.
How is the HCT Blood test performed?
As the name suggests, the CBC (including HCT) Blood test is a simple blood test. During this test, a lab technician or a phlebotomist will cleanse the skin with an antiseptic and place an elastic band around the upper arm so that the vein becomes visible and swells with blood. He/she then injects a needle and draws a sample of blood in a test tube. After the blood is drawn, he covers the injected area with a band-aid to stop bleeding. The typical blood specimen is then sent to the lab for analysis.
It takes less than 10 minutes to perform this test.
Is there any preparation required before the test?
There is no special preparation required for the HCT Blood test, you can continue with your regular activities and other diets.
Are there any risks in the HCT Blood test?
There is no possible risk or complication in taking the this blood test. You might have slight pain or bruise in the injected area for a very little period.
What does the HCT Test Result Mean?
HCT, Hematocrit count in your blood test is calculated as the percentage of RBCs count in your blood cells. Generally, the normal range varies widely as per your age, sex, & race. Normal HCT levels are –
- In men, 38.3 to 48.6 percent
- In women, 35.5 to 44.9 percent
HCT levels in children, that is ages 17 and younger, the normal range varies accordingly. However, your HCT levels are just one section of your blood cell health. The HCT levels are often compared to your RBC, Platelet count & other components of your CBC blood test to get a clear picture of your health condition.
HCT Blood test high
If your HCT blood test results show more than 48.6 percent in men or more than 44.9 percent if you’re a woman, then your HCT levels are higher than normal. This may be due to the following health conditions –
- Anemia
- Bone marrow disease
- Cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma, or multiple myeloma
- Nutritional deficiency of iron, vitamin B-12, or folate
- Kidney disease
Elevated HCT levels can be brought back to normal with some medications as prescribed by your physician after identifying the cause of your high HCT levels.
HCT Blood test low
If your HCT blood test results show less than 38.3 percent in men or less than 35.5 percent if you’re a woman, then your HCT levels are higher than normal. This may be due to the following health conditions –
- Dehydration (the most common cause of high hematocrit levels)
- Lung disease
- Congenital heart disease
- Polycythemia vera
If your HCT levels are slightly low, drinking more fluids will usually bring your levels back to normal. In the case of severely low levels of HCT, it can be cured by taking treatment according to your cause of low HCT levels as identified by your healthcare provider.
Providers Locations
The HCT test can be done in any of the following locations across the U.S. by visiting the nearest lab. To know the HCT test cost, refer to the first section of the article.
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Puerto Rico
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
Will insurance cover my testing cost?
No, insurance will not be covered in the billing. However, they will provide you a receipt for insurance reimbursement purposes.
How should I book my appointment?
You can choose the most suitable provider from above and make an appointment by following the instructions mentioned by them.
Can I cancel my lab test order?
Yes, you can cancel your lab test order anytime before your testing. A refund will be initiated after deducting the cancellation fee. However, cancellation is at the discretion of the provider.
Do the providers offer result interpretations?
Yes, a few providers may provide doctor consultation who will take you through the results and provide clarification if needed.
How do I receive my report?
To ensure your privacy, the test report will be mailed to you by the provider.
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