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Complete Blood Count (CBC)

(continued)

Results continued...

**Hematocrit (HCT)**
Men:	42%-52% or 0.42-0.52 volume fraction
Women:	36%-48% or 0.36-0.48 volume fraction
Children:	29%-59% or 0.29-0.59 volume fraction
Newborns:	44%-64% or 0.44-0.64 volume fraction

**Hemoglobin (Hgb)**
Men:	14-17.4 grams per deciliter (g/dL) or 140-174 grams per liter (g/L)
Women:	12-16 g/dL or 120-160 g/L
Children:	9.5-20.5 g/dL or 95-205 g/L
Newborn:	14.5-24.5 g/dL or 145-245 g/L

In general, a normal hemoglobin level is about one-third the value of the hematocrit.

**Red blood cell indices**
Mean corpuscular volume (MCV):	82-98 cubic millimeters (mm³) or 82-98 femtoliters (fL)
Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH):	26-34 picograms (pg) or 0.40-0.53 femtomoles (fmol)
Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC):	32-36 grams per deciliter (g/dL) or 320-360 grams per liter (g/L)

**Red cell distribution width (RDW)**
Normal:	11.5%-14.5%

**Platelet (thrombocyte) count**
Adults:	140,000-400,000 platelets per mm³ or 140-400 x 10⁹/L
Children:	150,000-450,000 platelets per mm ³ or 150-450 x 10⁹/L

**Mean platelet volume (MPV)**
Adults:	7.4-10.4 mcm³ or 7.4-10.4 fL
Children:	7.4-10.4 mcm³ or 7.4-10.4 fL

**Blood smear**
Normal:	Blood cells are normal in shape, size, color, and number.

High values

Red blood cell (RBC)

Conditions that cause high RBC values include smoking, exposure to carbon monoxide, long-term lung disease, kidney disease, some cancers, certain forms of heart disease, alcoholism, liver disease, a rare disorder of the bone marrow (polycythemia vera), or a rare disorder of hemoglobin that binds oxygen tightly.
Conditions that affect the body's water content can also cause high RBC values. These conditions include dehydration, diarrhea or vomiting, excessive sweating, severe burns, and the use of diuretics. The lack of fluid in the body makes the RBC volume look high; this is sometimes called spurious polycythemia.

White blood cell (WBC, leukocyte)

Conditions that cause high WBC values include infection, inflammation, damage to body tissues (such as a heart attack), severe physical or emotional stress (such as a fever, injury, or surgery), burns, kidney failure, lupus, tuberculosis (TB), rheumatoid arthritis, malnutrition, leukemia, and diseases such as cancer.
The use of corticosteroids, underactive adrenal glands, thyroid gland problems, certain medicines, or removal of the spleen can also cause high WBC values.

Platelets

High platelet values may be seen with bleeding, iron deficiency, some diseases like cancer, or problems with the bone marrow.

Low values

Red blood cell (RBC)

Anemia lowers RBC values. Anemia can be caused by heavy menstrual bleeding, stomach ulcers, colon cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, some tumors, Addison's disease, thalassemia, lead poisoning, sickle cell disease, or reactions to some chemicals and medicines. A low RBC value may also be seen if the spleen has been taken out.
A lack of folic acid or vitamin B12 can also cause anemia, such as pernicious anemia, which is a problem with absorbing vitamin B12.
The RBC indices value and a blood smear may help find the cause of anemia.

White blood cell (WBC, leukocyte)

Conditions that can lower WBC values include chemotherapy and reactions to other medicines, aplastic anemia, viral infections, malaria, alcoholism, AIDS, lupus, or Cushing's syndrome.
A large spleen can lower the WBC count.

Platelets

Low platelet values can occur in pregnancy or idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and other conditions that affect how platelets are made or that destroy platelets.
A large spleen can lower the platelet count.

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WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: August 03, 2010

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.