Complete blood count (CBC)

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 hematocritare 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 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.