Methods and systems are presented for analyzing the blood of a living being. Equations are presented for volume-aware extension of the concept of Hematocrit. A method for calculating these volume-aware measures and using said measures to evaluate and guide possible treatments is described. A system comprising an automated analyzer and a processor and other components is described which can carry out said calculations. Methods of treatment for volume abnormalities are described which are guided by the volume-aware Hct measures. In one exemplary embodiment, a method of treatment for plasma volume excess using ultrafiltration is described. In another exemplary embodiment, a method of treatment for red cell volume excess using erythrocytapheresis is described.
