How to interpret a complete blood count
1. Haemoglobin (Hb): The Oxygen Carrier If you're tired all the time, dizzy, or look unusually pale, Hb is the first number to check. What it is: Haemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to your organs. Normal range: Around 13-17 g/dL in men, 12-15 g/dL in women (slightly lower in pregnancy). What low levels mean: Anaemia, which could be due to iron deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency, or chronic illness. What high levels mean: Sometimes dehydration, smoking, or living at high altitudes. 2. Red Blood Cells (RBCs) and Related Indices Your RBCs are like tiny delivery trucks, carrying oxygen around. But your report won't just say "RBCs", it'll throw fancy terms at you: RBC Count: Tells you how many red blood cells you have. MCV (Mean Corpuscular Volume): Size of your RBCs. Too small = iron deficiency anaemia. Too big = B12/folate deficiency. MCH/MCHC: These show how much haemoglobin your RBCs carry. Low values often mean ir...
