Lab results
CBC Blood Test Results Explained
Understand your complete blood count: what each number measures, common reasons results are high or low and what to ask your provider.
Red blood cell results
- Hemoglobin (Hgb) carries oxygen. Typical adult range is roughly 12 to 15.5 g/dL for women and 13.5 to 17.5 g/dL for men. Low means anemia.
- Hematocrit (Hct) is the share of your blood made of red cells, and moves with hemoglobin.
- MCV is the average size of your red cells. Small (low MCV) often points to low iron; large (high MCV) can mean low B12 or folate, alcohol use, thyroid or liver problems, or some medicines.
- RDW shows how varied the cell sizes are; a high RDW is an early clue to iron or B12 deficiency.
Reference ranges vary a little between labs. Always compare your number with the range printed on your own report, and look at the trend over time rather than a single result.
White blood cell results
White cells fight infection. A typical total is about 4,000 to 11,000 per microliter.
- High counts are common with infections, inflammation, stress, smoking and steroid medicines.
- Low counts can follow a viral illness and can be caused by some medicines; persistently low counts need a closer look.
- The differential breaks white cells into types (neutrophils, lymphocytes and others), which helps tell bacterial from viral patterns and spot allergies.
Platelets
Platelets help your blood clot. A typical range is about 150,000 to 450,000 per microliter.
- Low platelets can come from viral infections, some medicines, alcohol and liver disease. Very low counts can cause easy bruising or bleeding.
- High platelets are often a reaction to inflammation, infection or low iron, and occasionally a bone marrow condition.
What happens next
A slightly abnormal CBC in someone who feels well is often just rechecked in a few weeks. If you have anemia, we look for the cause with tests such as ferritin and B12. Abnormal counts with symptoms such as fevers, weight loss, unusual bruising or night sweats get prompt follow-up.
At WheelHouse Health we go through every result with you in plain English, by video or in the portal, and order discounted cash-pay labs when more testing is needed.
Questions people ask
Should I worry about one result slightly out of range?
Usually not. About 1 in 20 healthy people fall just outside a reference range on any given test. We look at the whole picture and recheck when sensible.
Do I need to fast for a CBC?
No. A CBC does not require fasting, although other tests drawn at the same time might.
Can dehydration change my CBC?
Yes. Dehydration can make hemoglobin and hematocrit look higher than they really are.
Talk it through with Lydia
Have a CBC result you want explained? We are happy to walk you through it. See a board-certified nurse practitioner virtually anywhere in Virginia, in our Woodbridge office, or straight to your front door in much of Northern Virginia.
Visits start at $85, and every membership comes with a 30-day trial.
Prefer to ask first? Text us at (571) 402-2102 or message us on WhatsApp.
