"Clinical Significance
Hematocrit - Usual method for determining anemia. Used to calculate indices.

Preferred Specimen(s)
Whole blood from a full EDTA (lavender-top) tube

Minimum Volume
Microtainer: 0.5 mL • EDTA (lavender-top) tube: 1 mL

Collection Instructions
Maintain specimen at room temperature. Do not refrigerate. If multiple draw, collect EDTA (lavender-top) tube last. Traumatic draw can introduce thromboplastin and trap WBC and platelets. Refrigeration can precipitate fibrin and trap WBC and platelets.

Transport Container
EDTA (lavender-top) tube

Transport Temperature
Room temperature

Specimen Stability
Room temperature: 48 hours
Refrigerated: 48 hours (may cause platelet clumping)
Frozen: Unstable

Reject Criteria
Hemolysis • Clotted • Received frozen

Methodology
Electronic Cell, Sizing/Cytometry/Microscopy

Reference Range(s)
≤2  Weeks    42.0-65.0 %
1 Month    33.0-55.0 %
2 Months    28.0-42.0 %
6 Months    29.0-41.0 %
2 Years    31.0-41.0 %
6 Years    34.0-42.0 %
12 Years    35.0-45.0 %
     Male    Female
18 Years    36.0-49.0 %    34.0-46.0 %
>18 Years    38.5-50.0 %    35.0-45.0 %

Alternative Name(s)
HCT