Test Code HCT Hematocrit
Specimen and Container/Tube
Specimen Type: Whole blood
Preferred Specimen: lavender top
Other Acceptable specimens: not applicable
Specimen Handling and Transport Instructions
UCMC Onsite Instructions: Collect specimen per standard collection procedure and send to laboratory immediately.
UCMC Offsite and UC MedLab Outreach Instructions: Collect specimen per standard collection procedure and send to laboratory immediately. Specimens must be received within 8 hours. If transport is delayed, refrigerate specimens prior to transport.
Rejection Criteria
- Common specimen rejected situations include: incorrect specimen type, insufficient volume, missing or incomplete specimen identifiers, incorrect specimen transport, or specimens outside stability limits.
- Frozen or heated specimens will be rejected
- Clotted or quantity not sufficient specimens are not suitable for testing and will be rejected
Reference Values
Analyte |
Age |
Sex |
Reference Range |
HCT |
0 days |
Male and female |
42 – 60 % |
HCT |
1 day |
Male and female |
45 - 67 % |
HCT |
7 days |
Male and female |
42 – 66 % |
HCT |
14 days |
Male and female |
39 – 63 % |
HCT |
1 month |
Male and female |
31 – 55 % |
HCT |
2 months |
Male and female |
28 – 42 % |
HCT |
3 months |
Male and female |
29 – 41 % |
HCT |
6 months |
Male and female |
33 – 39 % |
HCT |
2 years |
Male and female |
34 – 40 % |
HCT |
6 years |
Male and female |
35 – 45 % |
HCT |
12 years and up |
Male |
41 – 53 % |
HCT |
12 years and up |
Female |
36 – 47 % |
Critical Values
Analyte |
Unit |
Low |
High |
Age |
HCT |
% |
20 |
60 |
All |
Turnaround Time
Turnaround times are relative to the time the specimen is received in the test laboratory.
STAT Turnaround Time: 60 minutes
Routine Turnaround Time: 240 minutes
Testing Schedule: 24/7
CPT Codes
85014
LOINC Codes
HCT 4544-3
Volume
Preferred Volume: 4.0 mL
Minimum Volume: 1.0 mL
Specimen Stability
Storage Temperature |
Stability |
Room temperature (20 - 25°C) |
24 hours |
Refrigerated (2 - 10°C) |
24 hours |
Frozen (-20°C) |
not acceptable |
Collection Instructions
Collect specimen per standard laboratory collection procedures.
Test Components
HCT
Clinical Indications
- Screening test for various diseases
- Useful in the diagnosis of disease states such as anemias, leukemias, allergic reactions, viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections.
Methodology
Sysmex XN
Synonyms/Search Keywords
Not applicable
Additional Information
Not applicable
Last Reviewed Date
9/5/2024