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Laboratory test

PCV Test (Packed Cell Volume, Haematocrit)

PCV (Haematocrit): 1 parameter from a blood sample, no fasting.

Also known as

PCV Blood Test · Packed Cell Volume · Haematocrit · Hematocrit · HCT · Hct Test · Hematocrit (PCV) Test

Sample
Blood
Fasting
Not required
Expected report time
Same day / 24 hours
Parameters
1

PCV Blood Test: quick answers

PCV Blood Test full form
Packed Cell Volume
PCV Blood Test price
₹409, home sample collection
Normal range (adults)
Men: 40% to 50%; Women: 36% to 46%
Done for
Checking for anaemia; Monitoring dengue, where a rising PCV can be a warning sign; Suspected dehydration
Fasting
Not required
Report
Same day / 24 hours

What is the PCV Blood Test?

PCV, also called haematocrit, is the percentage of your blood volume made up of red blood cells. It moves up and down with haemoglobin and is used to check for anaemia, dehydration and, in dengue, for plasma leakage.

PCV Blood Test normal range

MeasurementTypical adult value
Men40% to 50%
Women36% to 46%

Lower in pregnancy and different in newborns and children.

Ranges differ between laboratories and methods. The reference range printed on your own report is the one to read your result against.

What your PCV Blood Test result means

Low PCV
Usually goes with anaemia, for example from iron deficiency, blood loss or vitamin deficiency. It can also fall with excess fluid in the body, including normal pregnancy.
High PCV
Can occur with dehydration, smoking, chronic lung disease, living at high altitude or a bone marrow condition. In dengue, a PCV rising by about 20% or more from baseline needs urgent medical review.

One result is not a diagnosis. A doctor reads it with your symptoms, history, medicines and other tests.

Why is the PCV Blood Test done?

  • Checking for anaemia
  • Monitoring dengue, where a rising PCV can be a warning sign
  • Suspected dehydration
  • Suspected excess red cells (polycythaemia)

What does the PCV Test (Packed Cell Volume, Haematocrit) measure?

1 parameter. Expand a group to see the measurements, units and available method details.

Complete Blood Count1 parameter
ParameterUnitCatalogue methodLOINC
Haematocrit (HCT / PCV)%Hydrodynamic Focusing & Electrical Impedance4544-3

The reference interval printed on your actual laboratory report governs interpretation. Intervals can vary by laboratory, method, age, sex and pregnancy. Methods can also vary by processing laboratory.

PCV Blood Test: sample & preparation

Sample: Blood. Fasting: Not required.

  • No fasting is required; a blood sample will be drawn from your arm as usual.

Frequently asked questions

What is PCV in a blood test?
PCV means packed cell volume. It is the share of your blood taken up by red blood cells, reported as a percentage. Haematocrit and HCT are other names for the same measurement.
What does low PCV mean?
A low PCV usually means anaemia, so it is read together with haemoglobin and the red cell indices. A doctor looks for the cause, such as iron deficiency or blood loss.
Why is PCV checked in dengue?
In dengue, fluid can leak out of blood vessels, which concentrates the blood and raises the PCV. A rising PCV with a falling platelet count is one of the warning signs doctors watch for.
Is fasting needed for a PCV test?
No fasting is needed. PCV is measured on the same kind of blood sample as a CBC.
How much does the PCV (Haematocrit) cost?
The current online price is ₹409, with MRP ₹1,569. Review your booking total before payment.
Can I book this test for home collection?
Yes. Add your collection address and choose an available collection slot at checkout.
When is the report expected?
The catalogue lists Same day / 24 hours. Confirm the collection and report schedule with the booking team.
Can I book this with other tests?
You can add available tests to the same cart. Review the combined preparation instructions and collection requirements with the booking team.

Sources: Dacie and Lewis Practical Haematology, 12th edition; World Health Organization: Dengue guidelines for diagnosis, treatment, prevention and control, 2009. General information, not medical advice.

This page gives catalogue facts only (sample, preparation, report time) and has not been reviewed by a doctor. It is general information, not a diagnosis or advice for you: your doctor decides which tests you need and what the results mean.

Book the PCV Test (Packed Cell Volume, Haematocrit)

1 parameter · No fasting required · Report time: Same day / 24 hours

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