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CBC test report: normal ranges and what each value means
A complete blood count, often printed as CBC or haemogram, is the most common blood test in India. It counts the three kinds of cells in your blood (red cells, white cells and platelets) and describes their size and make-up.
What each value means
| On your report | What it measures | Typical adult range |
|---|---|---|
| Haemoglobin (Hb) | The oxygen-carrying protein in red cells | Men 13–17 g/dL; women 12–15 g/dL |
| RBC count | Number of red blood cells | Men 4.5–5.5; women 3.8–4.8 million/µL |
| PCV / Haematocrit | Share of blood volume made of red cells | Men 40–50%; women 36–46% |
| MCV | Average size of a red cell | 83–101 fL |
| MCH / MCHC | Haemoglobin per red cell / its concentration | MCH 27–32 pg; MCHC 31.5–34.5 g/dL |
| RDW | How much red cells vary in size | 11.6–14% |
| Total WBC count (TLC) | White blood cells, which fight infection | 4,000–10,000 /µL |
| Neutrophils / Lymphocytes | The two main kinds of white cell | Neutrophils 40–80%; lymphocytes 20–40% |
| Eosinophils / Monocytes / Basophils | Smaller groups of white cells | 1–6% / 2–10% / under 2% |
| Platelet count | Cells that help blood clot | 1.5–4.1 lakh/µL (150,000–410,000) |
| ESR | How fast red cells settle; rises with inflammation | Men 0–15; women 0–20 mm/hr |
Ranges differ between laboratories, machines, age groups and in pregnancy. The range printed on your own report is the one that applies to you.
When a value is low or high
A low haemoglobin is called anaemia, and in India it is very often linked to low iron, especially in women and children; the MCV helps a doctor tell the kinds apart (small cells point towards iron, large cells towards vitamin B12 or folate). A high white cell count may be seen with infection or inflammation, and a low platelet count is something doctors watch closely in dengue season. One value slightly outside the range is common and often not significant on its own.
How to read your own report
Always compare each value with the reference range printed beside it on your report: machines and methods differ between laboratories, so the ranges above are only a guide. Look at the pattern rather than a single number, and take the whole report to your doctor, who will read it with your symptoms and history.
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Read my reportCommon questions
What is the normal haemoglobin level?
For adults, laboratories commonly print about 13–17 g/dL for men and 12–15 g/dL for women. Pregnancy, age and altitude change it, so use the range on your own report.
Is CBC done fasting?
No. A CBC does not need fasting, though it is often taken together with tests that do, such as blood sugar or a lipid profile.
What does a high ESR mean?
ESR rises with inflammation, infection and some other conditions, and also with age and pregnancy. It does not point to one cause; your doctor reads it alongside the rest of the report.
Other lab test guides
Thyroid profile (TSH, T3, T4) · Lipid profile (cholesterol test) · Liver function test (LFT) · Kidney function test (KFT / RFT) · HbA1c and blood sugar tests · Vitamin D and vitamin B12 tests
This guide is general information for adults, not medical advice and not a diagnosis. Only a qualified doctor can interpret your results. Updated 2026-10-06. See the medical disclaimer.