The Packed Cell Volume (PCV), also known as Hematocrit (HCT), is a simple but vital blood test. It measures the percentage of your total blood volume that is made up of Red Blood Cells (RBCs).
Since red blood cells contain hemoglobin, the protein responsible for transporting oxygen, the PCV/HCT value is a critical indicator of your blood's capacity to deliver oxygen to your body's tissues.
This test is a fundamental part of a Complete Blood Count (CBC) and is used by doctors to screen for, diagnose, and monitor conditions like anemia (low value) and polycythemia (high value).