What is haematocrit?
‘Haematocrit’ is a standard by which doctors can measure the degree of red blood cells in the patient’s blood. It is the percentage (by volume) of red blood cells in a blood sample. The haematocrit is determined as follows: a blood sample is extracted from the patient into a thin glass capillary tube. This tube is pre-treated with an anticoagulant, so that the blood remains fluid and doesn’t clot. In the next phase the tube is put in a centrifuge and swirled around at high speed. As a result the ‘heavier’ blood cells sink to the bottom and the ‘lighter’ serum remains in a layer above the cells. Healthy people have a haematocrit value that varies between 37 to 47% for women, and 40 to 52% for men. Doctors can use the haematocrit to follow up the effect of the EPO treatment and adjust the therapy schedule if necessary. In doping controls an increased haematocrit value can indicate abuse of EPO.
