What is a CBC test?
A Complete Blood Count (CBC) is one of the most common blood tests ordered by doctors. It gives a snapshot of your overall health by counting and examining the different types of cells in your blood. Doctors use it to detect anaemia, infections, clotting problems and many other conditions.
CBC Normal Range Chart
| Component | Normal Range (Adults) | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Haemoglobin (Hb) — Men | 13.5 – 17.5 | g/dL |
| Haemoglobin (Hb) — Women | 12.0 – 15.5 | g/dL |
| RBC (Red Blood Cells) — Men | 4.5 – 5.9 | million/µL |
| RBC (Red Blood Cells) — Women | 4.0 – 5.2 | million/µL |
| WBC (White Blood Cells) | 4,000 – 11,000 | /µL |
| Platelets | 1,50,000 – 4,00,000 | /µL |
| Haematocrit (HCT) — Men | 41 – 53 | % |
| Haematocrit (HCT) — Women | 36 – 46 | % |
| MCV | 80 – 100 | fL |
| MCH | 27 – 33 | pg |
| Neutrophils | 40 – 70 | % |
| Lymphocytes | 20 – 40 | % |
What does HIGH haemoglobin mean?
HIGH Haemoglobin above normal
High Hb can mean dehydration, lung disease, living at high altitude, or a condition called polycythaemia vera. Smokers often have slightly higher Hb. Tell your doctor if your Hb is persistently high.
What does LOW haemoglobin mean?
LOW Haemoglobin below normal
Low Hb means anaemia. The most common causes in India are iron deficiency, B12 deficiency, or folate deficiency. Symptoms include tiredness, breathlessness and pale skin. Your doctor will look at MCV and MCH to find the type of anaemia.
What does HIGH WBC mean?
HIGH WBC above 11,000
High white cells usually mean your body is fighting an infection (bacterial infections raise it most). It can also indicate inflammation, stress, steroid use or rarely blood cancer. Your doctor will look at which type of WBC is high — neutrophils point to bacterial infection; lymphocytes point to viral infections.
What does LOW WBC mean?
LOW WBC below 4,000
Low WBC (leukopenia) can be caused by viral infections (including dengue, typhoid), certain medications, vitamin deficiencies or bone marrow problems. It means your infection-fighting ability may be reduced.
What does LOW platelet count mean?
LOW Platelets below 1,50,000
Low platelets (thrombocytopenia) increase bleeding risk. In India, dengue fever is a very common cause of sudden platelet drop. Other causes include viral infections, certain medications, liver disease and autoimmune conditions. Below 50,000 is considered serious — seek care immediately.
Questions to ask your doctor
When discussing your CBC report, ask:
- Which value is abnormal and by how much?
- Do I need a repeat test to confirm?
- Could my medications be affecting this?
- Do I need any follow-up tests like iron studies or peripheral smear?