Blood Count Health Article
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Learn to Read Your Lab Results: Blood Counts
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Normal results
Blood count values can vary by age and sex. The normal red blood cell count ranges from 4.2–5.4 million RBCs per microliter of blood for men and 3.6–5.0 million for women. Hemoglobin values range from 14–18 grams per deciliter of blood for men and 12–16 grams for women. The normal hematocrit is 42–54% for men and 36–48% for women. The normal number of white blood cells for both men and women is approximately 4,000–10,000 WBCs per microliter of blood.
Abnormal results
Abnormal blood count results are seen in a variety of conditions. One of the most common is anemias, which are characterized by low RBC counts, hemoglobins, and hematocrits. Infections and leukemias are associated with increased numbers of WBCs.
BOOKS
Berkow, Robert, ed. Merck Manual of Medical Information. Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck Research Laboratories, 1997.
Henry, J. B. Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. New York: W. B. Saunders Co., 1996.
Karen A. Boyden
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Author Info: Karen A. Boyden, The Gale Group Inc., Gale, Detroit, Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine, 2002 |
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