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Results

By Mayo Clinic Staf

The following are normal complete blood count results for adults:
Red blood cell count

Male: 4.32-5.72 trillion cells/L*


(4.32-5.72 million cells/mcL**)
Female: 3.90-5.03 trillion cells/L
(3.90-5.03 million cells/mcL)

Hemoglobin

Male: 13.5-17.5 grams/dL***


(135-175 grams/L)
Female: 12.0-15.5 grams/dL
(120-155 grams/L)

Hematocrit

Male: 38.8-50.0 percent


Female: 34.9-44.5 percent

White blood cell count

3.5-10.5 billion cells/L


(3,500 to 10,500 cells/mcL)

Platelet count

150-450 billion/L
(150,000 to 450,000/mcL**)

* L = liter
** mcL = microliter
*** dL = deciliter

Not a definitive test


A complete blood count is typically not a definitive diagnostic test. Depending on the reason your doctor
recommended this test, results outside the normal range may or may not require follow-up. Your doctor

may need to look at the results of a CBC along with results of other blood tests, or additional tests may be
necessary.
For example, if you're otherwise healthy and have no signs or symptoms of illness, results slightly outside
the normal range on a complete blood count may not be a cause for concern, and follow-up may not be
needed. However, if you're undergoing cancer treatment, results of a complete blood count outside the
normal range may indicate a need to alter your treatment plan.
In some cases, if your results are significantly above or below the normal ranges, your doctor may refer
you to a doctor who specializes in blood disorders (hematologist).

What the results may indicate


Results in the following areas above or below the normal ranges on a complete blood count may indicate
a problem.

Red blood cell count, hemoglobin and hematocrit. The results of your red blood cell count,
hemoglobin and hematocrit are related because they each measure aspects of your red blood cells.
If the measures in these three areas are lower than normal, you have anemia. Anemia causes fatigue
and weakness. Anemia has many causes, including low levels of certain vitamins or iron, blood loss,
or an underlying condition.
A red blood cell count that's higher than normal (erythrocytosis), or high hemoglobin or hematocrit
levels, could point to an underlying medical condition, such as polycythemia vera or heart disease.

White blood cell count. A low white blood cell count (leukopenia) may be caused by a medical
condition, such as an autoimmune disorder that destroys white blood cells, bone marrow problems or
cancer. Certain medications also can cause white blood cell counts to drop.
If your white blood cell count is higher than normal, you may have an infection or inflammation. Or, it
could indicate that you have an immune system disorder or a bone marrow disease. A high white
blood cell count can also be a reaction to medication.

Platelet count. A platelet count that's lower than normal (thrombocytopenia) or higher than
normal (thrombocytosis) is often a sign of an underlying medical condition, or it may be a side efect
from medication. If your platelet count is outside the normal range, you'll likely need additional tests to
diagnose the cause.

For specifics about what your complete blood count results mean if they fall outside the normal ranges,
talk to your doctor.

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