What does a high hematocrit level in a CBC mean?

A high hematocrit level means that the proportion of red blood cells in your blood is elevated. This can be due to dehydration, where fluid loss concentrates the red cells, or conditions like polycythemia vera, a disorder where the body produces too many red blood cells. Living at high altitudes or chronic lung diseases like COPD can also increase hematocrit as the body tries to compensate for reduced oxygen availability. High hematocrit levels may increase the risk of blood clots, so your doctor may suggest treatments to lower the levels and improve your overall health.