Both hemoglobin and hematocrit are used to diagnose anemia. ( CC BY 3.Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells and hematocrit is a measurement of the amount of red blood cells as related to total blood cell count. “ 1901 Composition of Blood” By OpenStax College – Anatomy & Physiology, Connexions Web site. “ 1904 Hemoglobin” By OpenStax College – Anatomy & Physiology, Connexions Web site. Clinical Methods: The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations. In: Walker HK, Hall WD, Hurst JW, editors. However, the main difference between hemoglobin and hematocrit is the type of parameters measured. Therefore, both hemoglobin levels and hematocrit measure the capacity of blood to carry oxygen. In comparison, hematocrit is the volume of red blood cells with respect to the volume of the blood. Hemoglobin levels indicate the amount of hemoglobin present per unit volume of blood of a particular individual. Hemoglobin is the iron-containing protein found in red blood cells. Anemiaįurthermore, low hemoglobin levels indicate anemia while hematocrit is the quick method to diagnose anemia. This is another difference between hemoglobin and hematocrit. Hemoglobin level for males is 14 to 18 g/dl that for females is 12 to 16 g/dl while the normal hematocrit for men should be 40 to 54% for women it should be 36 to 48%. Moreover, hemoglobin tests measure the amount of hemoglobin per unit volume of blood while hematocrit measures the volume of red blood cells with respect to the total blood volume. This is the main difference between hemoglobin and hematocrit. Hemoglobin refers to a red protein responsible for transporting oxygen in the blood of vertebrates while hematocrit refers to the ratio of the volume of red blood cells to the total volume of blood. Besides, abnormally low measurements of hemoglobin and hematocrit indicate anemic conditions.ĭifference Between Hemoglobin and Hematocrit Definition.Furthermore, hematocrit (%) is equal to the three times value of hemoglobin (g/dl).Therefore, both measurements depend on the plasma volume. Whole blood is taken for measuring both hemoglobin levels and the hematocrit.Hemoglobin and hematocrit are two measurements of the oxygen-carrying capacity of red blood cells.Similarities Between Hemoglobin and Hematocrit On the contrary, high hemoglobin levels can be identified with erythrocytosis, which is a consequence of excessive amounts of red blood cells in the blood. However, low hemoglobin levels in the blood indicate anemic conditions. The reference value of hemoglobin is 14 to 18 g/dl in males while 12 to 16 g/dl in females. Thus, sufficient hemoglobin levels should be in the blood for adequate tissue oxygenation. Therefore, the main function of hemoglobin is to carry oxygen throughout the body, supplying it to the metabolizing tissues. Hemoglobin (Hb) is the iron-containing protein that occurs in red blood cells. – Comparison of Key Differences Key TermsĪnemia, Hematocrit, Hemoglobin, Red Blood Cells, Tissue Oxygenation What is the Difference Between Hemoglobin and Hematocrit What are the Similarities Between Hemoglobin and HematocritĤ. – Definition, Measurement, Reference Valuesģ. Hematocrit (%) is equal to three times value of hemoglobin (g/dl). Hemoglobin and hematocrit are two important measurements of the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. Furthermore, hemoglobin level for males is 14 to 18 g/dl that for females is 12 to 16 g/dl while the normal hematocrit for men should be 40 to 54% for women it should be 36 to 48%. The main difference between hemoglobin and hematocrit is that hemoglobin is the iron-containing protein responsible for carrying oxygen in red blood cells whereas hematocrit is the volume of red blood cells compared to the total blood volume.