Blood Health

Blood health captures the overall quality of your blood and how well it performs its vital functions, from the balance of red and white cells to the platelets and proteins pumping through your veins. It carries oxygen and nutrients, removes waste, fights infections, and helps your body heal from injury.

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Why Blood Health Matters

When your blood is healthy, your body can function at its best. Problems with blood health — like anemia, clotting disorders, or abnormal cell counts — can affect your energy, immunity, and overall wellness.

Blood plays a vital role in nearly every system of the body. Low red blood cell counts (anemia) can cause fatigue, weakness, or shortness of breath. Platelet or clotting problems may increase the risk of excessive bleeding or, in some cases, blood clots. Abnormal white blood cell counts, like leukocytosis, may signal infection or immune system issues.

Monitoring blood health through lab testing through Hers can offer insights into your overall health and well-being. Testing helps detect nutrient deficiencies, assess risks for certain conditions, and guide conversations with healthcare providers. While lab results alone don’t diagnose conditions, they can be a valuable part of preventive care and ongoing monitoring.

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Biomarkers We Track for Your Blood

Lab testing through Hers is built around key biomarkers that reflect how your body is performing across major health systems. Each test focuses on high-impact indicators chosen to give you the clearest picture of your well-being and where to take action next. Instead of testing everything, Hers zeroes in on the markers that matter most for guiding long-term health improvements.

Tests assess blood health by measuring different blood cell types and related proteins. These biomarkers give a snapshot of how well your blood is carrying oxygen, clotting, and supporting immune function.

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Hematocrit

Hematocrit is a test that measures the percentage of your blood that is made up of red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout your body. Being in the healthy range means your blood cells are successfully transporting oxygen to your tissues to sustain bodily functions.

Hemoglobin

Hemoglobin is the protein inside your red blood cells that carries oxygen to your muscles and brain. Being in the healthy range means your blood cells have what they need to move oxygen to your tissues successfully.

Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC)

Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) measures the average concentration of hemoglobin in your red blood cells, which reflects how effectively they carry oxygen. When MCHC is in the healthy range, it indicates that the body is likely not experiencing any red blood cell disorders or iron deficiency.

Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH)

Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) measures the average amount of hemoglobin in each red blood cell, which shows how well your blood can carry oxygen. A healthy level means your blood has enough hemoglobin for proper oxygen transport.

Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV)

Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) measures the average volume of your red blood cells, which can help reveal early signs of nutrient deficiencies or other blood conditions.

Mean Platelet Volume (MPV)

Mean platelet volume (MPV) measures the average volume of your blood platelets, which play an essential role in blood clotting. When your MPV is in the healthy range, it suggests that your platelet volume is normal.

Platelet Count

Platelets are the blood cells that help your body form clots, stopping bleeding when needed. A healthy platelet count means your body generally supports normal blood clotting when necessary.

Red Blood Cell Count

Red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen throughout your body. Your healthy red blood cell count is helping your organs and tissues function at their best.

Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW)

Red cell distribution width (RDW) measures the variation in the size of your red blood cells, which can help detect early signs of anemia or other blood conditions. A healthy RDW suggests that your red blood cells are uniform and efficiently transporting oxygen throughout your body.

Why Get Labs Through Hers

With lab testing through Hers, you get clear results that span multiple areas of health — connecting the dots between your cardiovascular system, metabolism, hormones, liver, kidneys, nutrients, inflammation, immune function, blood health, stress, and even biological age. The results are explained clearly and simply, so you can easily understand what’s happening inside your body.

Beyond the numbers, Hers provides actionable insights into where you need to focus to improve your health. Each result comes with insights to help you make sense of your biomarkers and identify practical steps to support better outcomes.

If your results suggest areas for improvement, you’ll receive an action plan designed by experts that includes lifestyle guidance and, when deemed appropriate by a healthcare provider, prescription medication to help you reach your goals.

More than 2.4 million people trust Hims & Hers for accessible, science-backed care — from lab testing to ongoing health management.1

The Labs difference

This information is not medical advice and lab results alone are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any condition. A provider will reach out about critical results and plans include access to 24/7 provider messaging.

1. As of June 30, 2025

Related Health Categories

Nutrient Health

Iron, vitamin B12, and folate levels strongly influence red blood cell production and anemia risk.

Immune Defense

White blood cell (WBC) counts can signal infection, inflammation, or bone-marrow problems, which can be interpreted with your symptoms and history.

Metabolic Health

Conditions like diabetes can affect blood cell quality and circulation.

Kidney Health

The kidneys produce erythropoietin, a hormone that helps regulate red blood cell production.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Who should get blood health testing and when?

Testing blood health may be helpful if you experience symptoms or have certain risk factors, including:

• Fatigue

• Dizziness

• Frequent infections

• Unexplained bruising

• Poor diet

• Chronic illness

• A family history of blood disorders 

Healthcare providers may include a complete blood count (CBC) as part of an annual health checkup, especially if you have symptoms, risk factors, or a condition that requires regular monitoring.

Lab test results alone do not provide the full picture of your health. Blood health testing levels should always be interpreted by a qualified healthcare provider alongside your symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle factors to guide safe and effective decisions.

What’s the difference between hemoglobin and hematocrit?

Hemoglobin measures the oxygen-carrying protein in your blood, while hematocrit measures the proportion of blood made up of red blood cells.

Can diet improve blood health?

Yes. Eating foods rich in iron, vitamin B12, folate, and protein supports blood health and may lower your risk of anemia. A balanced diet also helps maintain healthy platelets and immune cells.

What symptoms might suggest a blood health issue?

Common signs of a blood health issue like anemia include weakness, pale skin, shortness of breath, dizziness, or irregular heartbeat. Always consult a healthcare provider if these occur.

Do blood tests diagnose anemia?

Blood tests can show whether you have anemia and help identify its type, but your provider may order more tests to determine the exact cause.

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Sources & References

  1. American Red Cross. (n.d.). What Does Hematocrit Mean?. https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/dlp/hematocrit.html 

  2. American Society of Hematology. (n.d.). Anemia. https://www.hematology.org/education/patients/anemia 

  3. Chaudhry HA, et al. (2023). Microcytic Hypochromic Anemia. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470252/ 

  4. Donnelly S. (2001). Why is erythropoietin made in the kidney? The kidney functions as a critmeter. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11479173/ 

  5. Duttaroy AS, et al. (2024). Functional Foods in Preventing Human Blood Platelet Hyperactivity-Mediated Diseases—An Updated Review. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11547462 

  6. El Brihi, et al. (2024). Normal and Abnormal Complete Blood Count With Differential. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK604207/ 

  7. Garg RA, et al. (2025). Beyond anemia: Red cell distribution width as a universal biomarker in contemporary medicine. https://jhas-bsh.com/beyond-anemia-red-cell-distribution-width-as-a-universal-biomarker-in-contemporary-medicine/ 

  8. Honey UM, et al. (2024). Exploring the relationship between blood platelet and other components utilizing count regression: A cross‐sectional study in Bangladesh. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11335575/ 

  9. Kauffmann TR, et al. (2022). Macrocytosis.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560908/ 

  10. Korniluk AL, et al. (2019). Mean Platelet Volume (MPV): New Perspectives for an Old Marker in the Course and Prognosis of Inflammatory Conditions. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6501263/ 

  11. Maner BR, et al. (2024). Mean Corpuscular Volume. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545275/ 

  12. Mank VI, et al. (2024). Leukocytosis.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560882/ 

  13. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2025). Platelet Disorders - Causes and Risk Factors. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/platelet-disorders/causes 

  14. National Institutes of Health. (2014). Avoiding Anemia. https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2014/01/avoiding-anemia 

  15. Sukla CR, et al. (2014). Vitamin-B12 and folate deficiency, major contributing factors for anemia: A population based study. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2212826313001048 

  16. Tapia JO, et al. (2021). Higher hemoglobin levels are an independent risk factor for adverse metabolism and higher mortality in a 20-year follow-up. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8497471/ 

  17. Turner JA, et al. (2023). Anemia. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499994/

  18. Wang YA, et al. (2021). The Relationship between Erythrocytes and Diabetes Mellitus. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7935596/ 

  19. World Health Organization. (2023). Anaemia. https://www.who.int/health-topics/anaemia

Reviewed by Felix Gussone, MD

Published 11/13/2025