Tests & Imaging > Labs > Complete Blood Count

Complete Blood Count
Reference Range and Descriptions

RBC (Red blood count) | HGB (Hemoglobin) | HCT (Hematocrit)  | MCV (Mean Corpuscular Volume) | MCH (Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin) | MCHC (Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration) | RDW (Red Cell Distribution Width) | Platelets | MPV (Mean Platelet Volume) | 
WBC - Neutrophils | Lymphocytes | Monocytes | Eosinophils | Basophils 

Your doctor will sometimes schedule a CBC blood test to monitor your health,  watch for indirect indications of disease direction, and side effects of treatment.

Reference ranges and unit measurements can vary per lab. 
And what is "normal" can also vary per person and race. 
If your lab results are outside the normal range, we suggest that 
you discuss with your doctor.  Often it is not the result, but the
change from a previous test that is most instructive. For best 
comparisons of lab results, the tests should be done in the same lab.

Resources: 

RBC - Red blood cells (erythrocytes - eh-REETH-ro-site)    Ref.  Range 4.20 - 5.70 

Cells that deliver oxygen throughout the body and make blood look red. 
A low RBC can indicate anemia, which can lead to fatigue. 

Topic Search: details and implications: Family Practice Notebook

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HGB - Hemoglobin  (HE-muh-glow-bin)     Ref.  Range 13.2 - 16.9   

Hemoglobin is a protein used by red blood cells to distribute oxygen to other tissues and cells in the body.  Low levels indicate anemia.

Topic Search: details and implications: Family Practice Notebook

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HCT - Hematocrit  (he-MAH-to-crit)   Ref.  Range 38.5 - 49.0%    

Percent of  your blood that is occupied by red blood cells. Good indicator of anemia.

Topic Search: details and implications: Family Practice Notebook

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MCV - Mean Corpuscular Volume    Ref.  Range 80 - 97   

Measures the size of red blood cells. Larger or smaller than normal red blood cells may indicate anemia.  

Topic Search: details and implications: Family Practice Notebook

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MCH - Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin    Ref.  Range 27.5 - 33.5  

Measures the amount of hemoglobin in red blood cells. Both hemoglobin and hematocrit are used to calculate this number. Low levels indicate anemia.

Topic Search: details and implications: Family Practice Notebook

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MCHC - Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration  Ref.  Range 32.0 - 36.0% 

Measures the amount of hemoglobin in red blood cells. Both HGB and HCT are used to calculate this number. Low level indicates anemia.

Topic Search: details and implications: Family Practice Notebook

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RDW - Red Cell Distribution Width   Ref.  Range 11.0 - 15.0

Measures the range of sizes of red blood cells in a blood sample. RDW results are often used together with MCV results to determine possible cause of anemia when anemia is indicated by other test results.

Topic Search: details and implications: Family Practice Notebook

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Platelets Count    Ref.  Range 140,000 - 390,000 (mm³)

Platelets are cells produced by the bone marrow to help your blood clot in order to stop bleeding from injury. Decreased platelet count is called thrombocytopenia.  

Topic Search: details and implications: Family Practice Notebook

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MPV - Mean Platelet Volume     Ref.  Range 7.5 - 11.5

Measures the average volume (size) of your platelets.  Higher-than-normal MPV is associated with an increased risk of heart attacks and stroke.

Topic Search: details and implications: Family Practice Notebook

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WBC - White Blood Cell (leukocytes)    Ref.  Range 3,900 - 10,000  (mm³)

Measures the amount of white blood cells. These immune cells  form  in the bone marrow to help fight infection.  High levels may indicate infection. Low levels may result from treatment or disease.  

Topic Search: details and implications: Family Practice Notebook

Differential - Information on specific types of leukocytes

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