# Hematocrit --- **Hematocrit** is the portion of the [[blood]] that is made up of [[blood|formed elements]], (i.e. not [[plasma]]). Even though this does technically count white blood cells, they make up such a small portion of the blood that they barely count, and it's used as a way of measuring the amount of [[red blood cells]] as a percentage against the plasma level. Testing hematocrit levels is one way of diagnosing conditions like [[anemia]], or measuring hydration levels.. >[!science] Normal values >The normal values for hematocrit are: >- **42% to 52%** for men >- **36% to 48%** for women > > Considerations for the **older adult**: it's normal for HTC to be slightly decreased. > > Considerations for the **pregnant person**: Due to an increased plasma volume, hematocrit tests show artificially low values. Normal values for a pregnant person are: > **28-40%**, or **11.5-13.0** g/dl > Under **11** is considered anemic in pregnancy >[!warning] Critical Values > <**15**% or >**60**% ### Low HTC Low HTC suggests [[anemia]], hemodilution, destruction of RBCs, blood loss and other things. Can be caused by such things as... • [[Leukemia]] • Chronic [[renal failure]] • [[Vitamin]] deficiencies • Chronic bleeding • Drugs • Overhydration ### High HTC Can be caused by such things as... - Severe [[diarrhea]] - Dehydration - Polycythemia vera - [[COPD]] - body is trying to compensate - [[Burns]] - loose a lot of fluid through the burned area ___