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Results
By Mayo Clinic staffThe 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 g/L) Female: 12.0-15.5 g/dL (120-155 g/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/mmol****) |
* L = liter
** mcL = microliter
*** dL = deciliter
**** mmol = micromole
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 evaluate the results along with results of other blood tests, or additional tests may be necessary to determine next steps.
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 physician who specializes in blood disorders (hematologist).
What the results may indicate
Following are what results above or below the normal ranges on a complete blood count may indicate, in general.
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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. There are many forms of anemia, but the most common is iron deficiency anemia. It can often be corrected with dietary changes. Other forms of anemia may be caused by vitamin deficiencies, or they may be a sign of an underlying medical condition, such as rheumatoid arthritis or Crohn's disease.
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.
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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 can also cause white blood cell counts to drop, as well.
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 effect 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.
- Nicoll D, et al. Complete blood cell count. In: Nicoll D, et al. Pocket Guide to Diagnostic Tests. 5th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/popup.aspx?aID=3135998. Accessed Dec. 9, 2008.
- Patient education: Understanding your complete blood count. National Institutes of Health. http://www.cc.nih.gov/ccc/patient_education/pepubs/cbc97.pdf. Accessed Dec. 9, 2008.
- Complete blood count. Lab Tests Online. http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/cbc/test.html. Accessed Dec. 9, 2008.
- Fischbach FT. Blood studies: Hematology and coagulation. In: Fischbach FT. A Manual of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2009:58.
- Tefferi A, et al. How to interpret and pursue an abnormal complete blood cell count in adults. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 2005;80:923.
- Laboratory reference values. Erythrocytes: Red blood cells, hemoglobin. Leukocytes: White blood cells, platelet count, hematocrit. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; Dec. 2008.
