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Hb vs. Hct - PART 1
I recently asked a series of questions about Hb vs Hct.
I will address some of the answers here and others in a follow-up thread.
QUESTION: If I give you the Hb of a patient can you predict their Hct?
Hb vs. Hct - PART 1
I recently asked a series of questions about Hb vs Hct.
I will address some of the answers here and others in a follow-up thread.
QUESTION: If I give you the Hb of a patient can you predict their Hct?
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ANSWER: No, but you can predict a range of Hb's based on first principles:
1. MCHC = Hb/Hct
2. Thus, for a given Hct, the Hb will depend on the MCHC
3. Theoretically the MCHC can range from 0 to about 40 g/dL
ANSWER: No, but you can predict a range of Hb's based on first principles:
1. MCHC = Hb/Hct
2. Thus, for a given Hct, the Hb will depend on the MCHC
3. Theoretically the MCHC can range from 0 to about 40 g/dL
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4. In practice, however, MCHC ranges between 22 and 40 g/dL, setting boundaries for a practical Hb range
QUESTION 2: Are the Hb and Hct interchangeable?
No! One value cannot be derived from the other without knowing the concentration of Hb inside the RBC (MCHC)
4. In practice, however, MCHC ranges between 22 and 40 g/dL, setting boundaries for a practical Hb range
QUESTION 2: Are the Hb and Hct interchangeable?
No! One value cannot be derived from the other without knowing the concentration of Hb inside the RBC (MCHC)
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The Hct does NOT care whether or not the RBC contains Hb and how much. It is purely a function of cell size and cell number (Hct = MCV x RBC count)
Conversely, the Hb concentration in blood does not care whether or not the respiratory pigment is carried in/outside cells
The Hct does NOT care whether or not the RBC contains Hb and how much. It is purely a function of cell size and cell number (Hct = MCV x RBC count)
Conversely, the Hb concentration in blood does not care whether or not the respiratory pigment is carried in/outside cells
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The only reason there is any connection between the Hct and Hb concentration in blood is because Hb happens to be carried inside RBCs, whose size and number (but not content) dictate the Hct!
The only reason there is any connection between the Hct and Hb concentration in blood is because Hb happens to be carried inside RBCs, whose size and number (but not content) dictate the Hct!
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In a future thread, we will discuss what information we can impart by reporting both the Hb and Hct (a clue is found in graphic below)
In a future thread, we will discuss what information we can impart by reporting both the Hb and Hct (a clue is found in graphic below)
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