SafekipediaReference ranges for blood tests
Adapted from Wikipedia · Discoverer experience
Reference ranges for blood tests are important sets of numbers that help health professionals understand the results from blood samples. These ranges tell us what normal levels usually look like for different substances in our blood, such as sugars, salts, and minerals. When a doctor orders a blood test, the lab will compare the results to these reference ranges to see if anything is too high or too low.
These reference ranges are studied in a field called clinical chemistry, which is part of pathology. This field focuses on analyzing bodily fluids to help diagnose and manage health conditions. It’s important to remember that each lab might have slightly different reference ranges, so the ones provided by the lab that did the test are the ones that should be used to understand the results.
Interpretation
A reference range is a set of values that shows what is normal for most people. It is made by looking at many test results from healthy individuals. When doctors get your blood test results, they compare them to this reference range to see if anything is unusual.
Most of the numbers in this article are for blood plasma, which is a part of your blood. This is a bit higher than the amount found in the whole blood, especially if red blood cells have very little of the substance. Some values are for the whole blood, like those for red blood cells and white blood cells. A few are only inside red blood cells, such as Vitamin B9.
Different places use different units to measure these values. In the United States, mass concentration (like g/dL or g/L) is common. In many other countries, molar concentration (mol/L) is used. Some tests use international units (IU) based on how the body uses the substance. For liver tests, enzyme activity (kat) is often used. Percentages and time-dependent units are used for some special calculations.
Usually, reference ranges are for blood taken from a vein, which is the most common way to collect blood. For some tests, like those measuring acid–base balance or blood gases, the range is for blood taken from an artery. For most substances, the levels are very similar in arterial and venous blood, except for acid–base, blood gases, and some drugs.
Reference ranges show what is usual or normal for most people. Sometimes, there is also an optimal range, which shows the best levels for health. For many substances, the usual and optimal levels are the same, but for some, like vitamins and blood lipids, they can be different. Some values, like troponin I and brain natriuretic peptide, help doctors tell if someone is healthy or has certain conditions, such as myocardial infarction or congestive heart failure.
Reference ranges can change depending on factors like age, sex, pregnancy, diet, medicines, and stress. They can also vary based on the testing method used, and may not be very accurate if the group of people used to create the range is too small.
Sorted by concentration
Smaller boxes show tighter control in the body when measuring blood tests using standard reference ranges.
Hormones are found in very low amounts, shown in red at the left side of the scale. Many substances cluster in the yellow part, with fewer in the green part. Some important substances like cholesterol and glucose appear near the blue part.
Units for measuring these substances do not always tell us about their amount in the blood. Some substances are measured in different units, like thyroid stimulating hormone in m, or rheumatoid factor and CA19-9 in U/mL.
Sorted by category
Ions and trace metals
Further information: Trace metal and Metals in medicine
This section includes important proteins that help carry substances like iron and copper in the blood, such as ferritin, transferrin, and ceruloplasmin.
Note: Some units like 'mEq' are used in some places but are not the standard international units and are now seen as extra.
Acid–base and blood gases
Further information: Acid–base homeostasis
Further information: Arterial blood gas test and Arterial blood gas test § Parameters and reference ranges
When looking at tests for acid and gas levels in the blood, if it does not say whether the sample came from arteries or veins, it usually means the sample came from arteries. These tests can show small differences depending on where the blood was taken from, but some results like pH are very similar whether taken from arteries or veins.
Liver function
Further information: Liver function tests
Cardiac tests
Lipids
Further information: Blood lipids
Tumour markers
Further information: Tumour markers
Endocrinology
Thyroid hormones
Further information: Thyroid function tests
Sex hormones
Further information: Sex steroid
The charts here show the normal ranges for important hormones like estradiol, progesterone, FSH, and LH, taking into account natural differences.
Other hormones
Further information: Hormones
Vitamins
This section also includes homocysteine, which is related to vitamin B12.
Toxic Substances
Hematology
Red blood cells
These numbers are for the whole blood, not just the liquid part of the blood.
White blood cells
These numbers are for the whole blood, not just the liquid part of the blood.
Coagulation
Immunology
Acute phase proteins
Acute phase proteins help show when there is inflammation in the body.
Isotypes of antibodies
Further information: Antibody
Autoantibodies
For more information, see Autoantibody.
Autoantibodies are usually not present or are found in very small amounts. Instead of giving normal ranges, tests show if they are present or if the result is uncertain.
Other immunology
Other enzymes and proteins
Other electrolytes and metabolites
Electrolytes and metabolites: This section also includes proteins related to iron and copper.
| Test | Lower limit | Upper limit | Unit* | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sodium (Na) | 135, 137 | 145, 147 | mmol/L or mEq/L | See hyponatremia or hypernatremia |
| 310, 320 | 330, 340 | mg/dL | ||
| Potassium (K) | 3.5, 3.6 | 5.0, 5.1 | mmol/L or mEq/L | See hypokalemia or hyperkalemia |
| 14 | 20 | mg/dL | ||
| Chloride (Cl) | 95, 98, 100 | 105, 106, 110 | mmol/L or mEq/L | See hypochloremia or hyperchloremia |
| 340 | 370 | mg/dL | ||
| Ionized calcium (Ca) | 1.03, 1.10 | 1.23, 1.30 | mmol/L | See hypocalcaemia or hypercalcaemia |
| 4.1, 4.4 | 4.9, 5.2 | mg/dL | ||
| Total calcium (Ca) | 2.1, 2.2 | 2.5, 2.6, 2.8 | mmol/L | |
| 8.4, 8.5 | 10.2, 10.5 | mg/dL | ||
| Total serum iron (TSI) – male | 65, 76 | 176, 198 | μg/dL | See hypoferremia or the following: iron overload (hemochromatosis), iron poisoning, siderosis, hemosiderosis, hyperferremia |
| 11.6, 13.6 | 30, 32, 35 | μmol/L | ||
| Total serum iron (TSI) – female | 26, 50 | 170 | μg/dL | |
| 4.6, 8.9 | 30.4 | μmol/L | ||
| Total serum iron (TSI) – newborns | 100 | 250 | μg/dL | |
| 18 | 45 | μmol/L | ||
| Total serum iron (TSI) – children | 50 | 120 | μg/dL | |
| 9 | 21 | μmol/L | ||
| Total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) | 240, 262 | 450, 474 | μg/dL | |
| 43, 47 | 81, 85 | μmol/L | ||
| Transferrin | 190, 194, 204 | 326, 330, 360 | mg/dL | |
| 25 | 45 | μmol/L | ||
| Transferrin saturation | 20 | 50 | % | |
| Ferritin – Males and postmenopausal females | 12 | 300 | ng/mL or μg/L | |
| 27 | 670 | pmol/L | ||
| Ferritin – premenopausal females | 12 | 150 – 200 | ng/mL or μg/L | |
| 27 | 330 – 440 | pmol/L | ||
| Ammonia | 10, 20 | 35, 65 | μmol/L | See hypoammonemia and hyperammonemia |
| 17, 34 | 60, 110 | μg/dL | ||
| Copper (Cu) | 70 | 150 | μg/dL | See hypocupremia or hypercupremia |
| 11 | 24 | μmol/L | ||
| Ceruloplasmin | 15 | 60 | mg/dL | |
| 1 | 4 | μmol/L | ||
| Phosphate (HPO42−) | 0.8 | 1.5 | mmol/L | See hypophosphatemia or hyperphosphatemia |
| Inorganic phosphorus (serum) | 1.0 | 1.5 | mmol/L | |
| 3.0 | 4.5 | mg/dL | ||
| Zinc (Zn) | 60, 72 | 110, 130 | μg/dL | See zinc deficiency or zinc poisoning |
| 9.2, 11 | 17, 20 | μmol/L | ||
| Magnesium | 1.5, 1.7 | 2.0, 2.3 | mEq/L or mg/dL | See hypomagnesemia or hypermagnesemia |
| 0.6, 0.7 | 0.82, 0.95 | mmol/L | ||
| Test | Arterial/Venous | Lower limit | Upper limit | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| pH | Arterial | 7.34, 7.35 | 7.44, 7.45 | |
| Venous | 7.31 | 7.41 | ||
| [H+] | Arterial | 36 | 44 | nmol/L |
| 3.6 | 4.4 | ng/dL | ||
| Base excess | Arterial & venous | −3 | +3 | mEq/L |
| Oxygen partial pressure (pO2) | Arterial pO2 | 10, 11 | 13, 14 | kPa |
| 75, 83 | 100, 105 | mmHg or torr | ||
| Venous | 4.0 | 5.3 | kPa | |
| 30 | 40 | mmHg or torr | ||
| Oxygen saturation | Arterial | 94, 95, 96 | 100 | % |
| Venous | Approximately 75 | |||
| Carbon dioxide partial pressure (pCO2) | Arterial PaCO2 | 4.4, 4.7 | 5.9, 6.0 | kPa |
| 33, 35 | 44, 45 | mmHg or torr | ||
| Venous | 5.5, | 6.8 | kPa | |
| 41 | 51 | mmHg or torr | ||
| Absolute content of carbon dioxide (CO2) | Arterial | 23 | 30 | mmol/L |
| 100 | 132 | mg/dL | ||
| Bicarbonate (HCO3−) | Arterial & venous | 18 | 23 | mmol/L |
| 110 | 140 | mg/dL | ||
| Standard bicarbonate (SBCe) | Arterial & venous | 21, 22 | 27, 28 | mmol/L or mEq/L |
| 134 | 170 | mg/dL | ||
| Test | Patient type | Lower limit | Upper limit | Unit | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total protein (TotPro) | 60, 63 | 78, 82, 84 | g/L | See serum total protein Interpretation | |
| Albumin | 35 | 48, 55 | g/L | See hypoalbuminemia | |
| 3.5 | 4.8, 5.5 | U/L | |||
| 540 | 740 | μmol/L | |||
| Globulins | 23 | 35 | g/L | ||
| Total bilirubin | 1.7, 2, 3.4, 5 | 17, 22, 25 | μmol/L | ||
| 0.1, 0.2, 0.29 | 1.0, 1.3, 1.4 | mg/dL | |||
| Direct/conjugated bilirubin | 0.0 or N/A | 5, 7 | μmol/L | ||
| 0 | 0.3, 0.4 | mg/dL | |||
| Alanine transaminase (ALT/ALAT) | 5, 7, 8 | 20, 21, 56 | U/L | Also called serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) | |
| Female | 0.15 | 0.75 | μkat/L | ||
| Male | 0.15 | 1.1 | |||
| Aspartate transaminase (AST/ASAT) | Female | 6 | 34 | IU/L | Also called serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) |
| 0.25 | 0.60 | μkat/L | |||
| Male | 8 | 40 | IU/L | ||
| 0.25 | 0.75 | μkat/L | |||
| Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) | 0.6 | 1.8 | μkat/L | ||
| Female | 42 | 98 | U/L | ||
| Male | 53 | 128 | |||
| Gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) | 5, 8 | 40, 78 | U/L | ||
| Female | 0.63 | μkat/L | |||
| Male | 0.92 | μkat/L | |||
| Test | Patient type | Lower limit | Upper limit | Unit | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Creatine kinase (CK) | Male | 24, 38, 60 | 174, 320 | U/L or ng/mL | |
| 0.42 | 1.5 | μkat/L | |||
| Female | 24, 38, 96 | 140, 200 | U/L or ng/mL | ||
| 0.17 | 1.17 | μkat/L | |||
| CK-MB | 0 | 3, 3.8, 5 | ng/mL or μg/L | ||
| Myoglobin | Female | 1 | 66 | ng/mL or μg/L | |
| Male | 17 | 106 | |||
| Cardiac troponin T (low sensitive) | 0.1 | ng/mL | 99th percentile cutoff | ||
| Cardiac troponin I (high sensitive) | 0.03 | ng/mL | 99th percentile cutoff | ||
| Cardiac troponin T (high sensitive) | Male | 0.022 | ng/mL | 99th percentile cutoff | |
| Female | 0.014 | ng/mL | 99th percentile cutoff | ||
| newborn/infants | not established | more than adults |
| Test | Patient type | Lower limit | Upper limit | Unit | Therapeutic target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Triglycerides | 10–39 years | 54 | 110 | mg/dL | or 1.1 mmol/L |
| 0.61 | 1.2 | mmol/L | |||
| 40–59 years | 70 | 150 | mg/dL | ||
| 0.77 | 1.7 | mmol/L | |||
| > 60 years | 80 | 150 | mg/dL | ||
| 0.9 | 1.7 | mmol/L | |||
| Total cholesterol | 3.0, 3.6 | 5.0, 6.5 | mmol/L | ||
| 120, 140 | 200, 250 | mg/dL | |||
| HDL cholesterol | Female | 1.0, 1.2, 1.3 | 2.2 | mmol/L | > 1.0 or 1.6 mmol/L 40 or 60 mg/dL |
| 40, 50 | 86 | mg/dL | |||
| HDL cholesterol | Male | 0.9 | 2.0 | mmol/L | |
| 35 | 80 | mg/dL | |||
| LDL cholesterol (Not valid when triglycerides >5.0 mmol/L) | 2.0, 2.4 | 3.0, 3.4 | mmol/L | ||
| 80, 94 | 120, 130 | mg/dL | |||
| LDL/HDL quotient | n/a | 5 | (unitless) |
| Test | Patient type | Lower limit | Upper limit | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH or thyrotropin) | Adults – standard range | 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6 | 4.0, 4.5, 6.0 | mIU/L or μIU/mL |
| Adults – optimal range | 0.3, 0.5 | 2.0, 3.0 | ||
| Infants | 1.3 | 19 | ||
| Free thyroxine (FT4) -more detailed ranges in Thyroid function tests article | Normal adult | 0.7, 0.8 | 1.4, 1.5, 1.8 | ng/dL |
| 9, 10, 12 | 18, 23 | pmol/L | ||
| Child/Adolescent 31 d – 18 y | 0.8 | 2.0 | ng/dL | |
| 10 | 26 | pmol/L | ||
| Pregnant | 0.5 | 1.0 | ng/dL | |
| 6.5 | 13 | pmol/L | ||
| Total thyroxine | 4, 5.5 | 11, 12.3 | μg/dL | |
| 60 | 140, 160 | nmol/L | ||
| Free triiodothyronine (FT3) | Normal adult | 0.2 | 0.5 | ng/dL |
| 3.1 | 7.7 | pmol/L | ||
| Children 2-16 y | 0.1 | 0.6 | ng/dL | |
| 1.5 | 9.2 | pmol/L | ||
| Total triiodothyronine | 60, 75 | 175, 181 | ng/dL | |
| 0.9, 1.1 | 2.5, 2.7 | nmol/L | ||
| Thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG) | 12 | 30 | mg/L | |
| Thyroglobulin (Tg) | 1.5 | 30 | pmol/L | |
| 1 | 20 | μg/L | ||
| Test | Patient type | Lower limit | Upper limit | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dihydrotestosterone | adult male | 1.0 | 2.9 | nmol/L |
| 30 | 85 | ng/dL | ||
| Testosterone | Male, overall | 8, 10 | 27, 35 | nmol/L |
| 230, 300 | 780–1000 | ng/dL | ||
| Male | 10 | 45 | nmol/L | |
| 290 | 1300 | ng/dL | ||
| Male > 50 years | 6.2 | 26 | nmol/L | |
| 180 | 740 | ng/dL | ||
| Female | 0.7 | 2.8–3.0 | nmol/L | |
| 20 | 80–85 | ng/dL | ||
| 17α-Hydroxyprogesterone | male | 0.06 | 3.0 | mg/L |
| 0.18 | 9.1 | μmol/L | ||
| Female (Follicular phase) | 0.2 | 1.0 | mg/L | |
| 0.6 | 3.0 | μmol/L | ||
| Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) -more detailed menstrual cycle ranges in separate diagram | Prepubertal | 3 | IU/L | |
| Adult male | 1 | 8 | ||
| Adult female (follicular and luteal phase) | 1 | 11 | ||
| Adult female (Ovulation) | 6 95% PI (standard) | 26 95% PI) | ||
| 5 90% PI (used in diagram) | 15 (90% PI) | |||
| Post-menopausal female | 30 | 118 | ||
| Luteinizing hormone (LH) -more detailed menstrual cycle ranges in separate diagram | Female, peak | 20 90% PI (used in diagram) | 75 (90% PI) | IU/L |
| Female, post-menopausal | 15 | 60 | ||
| Male aged 18+ | 2 | 9 | ||
| Estradiol (an estrogen) -more detailed ranges in estradiol article | Adult male | 50 | 200 | pmol/L |
| 14 | 55 | pg/mL | ||
| Adult female (day 5 of follicular phase, and luteal phase) | 70 | 500, 600 | pmol/L | |
| 19 | 140, 160 | pg/mL | ||
| Adult female – free (not protein bound) | 0.5 | 9 | pg/mL | |
| 1.7 | 33 | pmol/L | ||
| Post-menopausal female | 0 | 130 | pmol/L | |
| 0 | 35 | pg/mL | ||
| Progesterone -more detailed ranges in Progesterone article | Female in mid-luteal phase (day 21–23) | 17, 35 | 92 | nmol/L |
| 6, 11 | 29 | ng/mL | ||
| Androstenedione | Adult male and female | 60 | 270 | ng/dL |
| Post-menopausal female | ||||
| Prepubertal | ||||
| Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate -more detailed ranges in DHEA-S article | Adult male and female | 30 | 400 | μg/dL |
| SHBG -more detailed ranges in SHBG article | Adult female | 40 | 120 | nmol/L |
| Adult male | 20 | 60 | ||
| Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) -more detailed ranges in AMH article | 13–45 years | 0.7 | 20 | ng/mL |
| 5 | 140 | pmol/L |
| Test | Patient type | Lower limit | Upper limit | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) | 2.2 | 13.3 | pmol/L | |
| 20 | 100 | pg/mL | ||
| Cortisol | 09:00 am | 140 | 700 | nmol/L |
| 5 | 25 | μg/dL | ||
| Midnight | 80 | 350 | nmol/L | |
| 2.9 | 13 | μg/dL | ||
| Growth hormone (fasting) | 0 | 5 | ng/mL | |
| Growth hormone (arginine stimulation) | 7 | n/a | ng/mL | |
| IGF-1 -more detailed ranges in IGF-1 article | Female, 20 yrs | 110 | 420 | ng/mL |
| Female, 75 yrs | 55 | 220 | ||
| Male, 20 yrs | 160 | 390 | ||
| Male, 75 yrs | 48 | 200 | ||
| Prolactin -more detailed ranges in Prolactin article | Female | 71, 105 | 348, 548 | mIU/L |
| 3.4, 3.9 | 16.4, 20.3 | μg/L | ||
| Male | 58, 89 | 277, 365 | mIU/L | |
| 2.7, 3.3 | 13.0, 13.5 | μg/L | ||
| Parathyroid hormone (PTH) | 10, 17 | 65, 70 | pg/mL | |
| 1.1, 1.8 | 6.9, 7.5 | pmol/L | ||
| 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (a vitamin D) – Standard reference range | 8, 9 | 40, 80 | ng/mL | |
| 20, 23 | 95, 150 | nmol/L | ||
| 25-hydroxycholecalciferol – Therapeutic target range | 30, 40 | 65, 100 | ng/mL | |
| 85, 100 | 120, 160 | nmol/L | ||
| Plasma renin activity | 0.29, 1.9 | 3.7 | ng/(mL·h) | |
| 3.3, 21 | 41 | mcU/mL | ||
| Aldosterone -more detailed ranges in Aldosterone article | Adult | 19, 34.0 | ng/dL | |
| 530, 940 | pmol/L | |||
| Aldosterone-to-renin ratio -more detailed ranges in Aldosterone/renin ratio article | Adult | 13.1, 35.0 | ng/dL per ng/(mL·h) | |
| 360, 970 | pmol/liter per μg/(L·h) |
| Test | Patient type | Standard range | Optimal range | Unit | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lower limit | Upper limit | Lower limit | Upper limit | |||
| Vitamin A | 30 | 65 | μg/dL | |||
| Vitamin B9 (Folic acid/Folate) – Serum | Age > 1 year | 3.0 | 16 | 5 | ng/mL or μg/L | |
| 6.8 | 36 | 11 | nmol/L | |||
| Vitamin B9 (Folic acid/Folate) – Red blood cells | 200 | 600 | ng/mL or μg/L | |||
| 450 | 1400 | nmol/L | ||||
| Pregnant | 400 | ng/mL or μg/L | ||||
| 900 | nmol/L | |||||
| Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) | 130, 160 | 700, 950 | ng/L | |||
| 100, 120 | 520, 700 | pmol/L | ||||
| Homocysteine -more detailed ranges in Homocysteine article | 3.3, 5.9 | 7.2, 15.3 | 6.3 | μmol/L | ||
| 45, 80 | 100, 210 | 85 | μg/dL | |||
| Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) | 0.4 | 1.5 | 0.9 | mg/dL | ||
| 23 | 85 | 50 | μmol/L | |||
| 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (a vitamin D) | 8, 9 | 40, 80 | 30, 40 | 65, 100 | ng/mL | |
| 20, 23 | 95, 150 | 85, 100 | 120, 160 | nmol/L | ||
| Vitamin E | 28 | μmol/L | ||||
| 1.2 | mg/dL | |||||
| Test | Patient | Lower limit | Upper limit | Unit | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hemoglobin (Hb) | Male | 2.0, 2.1 | 2.5, 2.7 | mmol/L | Higher in neonates, lower in children. |
| 130, 132, 135 | 162, 170, 175 | g/L | |||
| Female | 1.8, 1.9 | 2.3, 2.5 | mmol/L | Sex difference negligible until adulthood. | |
| 120 | 150, 152, 160 | g/L | |||
| Hemoglobin subunits (sometimes displayed simply as "Hemoglobin") | Male | 8.0, 8.4 | 10.0, 10.8 | mmol/L | 4 per hemoglobin molecule |
| Female | 7.2, 7.6 | 9.2, 10.0 | |||
| Hemoglobin in plasma | 0.16 | 0.62 | μmol/L | Normally diminutive compared with inside red blood cells | |
| 1 | 4 | mg/dL | |||
| Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) | 3.6 | 5.0 | % of Hb | ||
| > 50 years | 3.9 | 5.3 | |||
| Haptoglobin | 0.35 | 1.9 | g/L | ||
| > 50 years | 0.47 | 2.1 | |||
| Hematocrit (Hct) | Male | 0.39, 0.4, 0.41, 0.45 | 0.50, 0.52, 0.53, 0.62 | L/L | |
| Female | 0.35, 0.36, 0.37 | 0.46, 0.48 | L/L | ||
| Child | 0.31 | 0.43 | L/L | ||
| Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) | Male | 76, 82 | 100, 102 | fL | Cells are larger in neonates, though smaller in other children. |
| Female | 78 | 101 | fL | ||
| Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) | 11.5 | 14.5 | % | ||
| Mean cell hemoglobin (MCH) | 0.39 | 0.54 | fmol/cell | ||
| 25, 27 | 32, 33, 35 | pg/cell | |||
| Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) | 4.8, 5.0 | 5.4, 5.6 | mmol/L | ||
| 31, 32 | 35, 36 | g/dL or % | |||
| Erythrocytes/Red blood cells (RBC) | Male | 4.2, 4.3 | 5.7, 5.9, 6.2, 6.9 | ×1012/L or million/mm3 | |
| Female | 3.5, 3.8, 3.9 | 5.1, 5.5 | |||
| Infant/Child | 3.8 | 5.5 | |||
| Reticulocytes | Adult | 26 | 130 | ×109/L | |
| 0.5 | 1.5 | % of RBC | |||
| Newborn | 1.1 | 4.5 | % of RBC | ||
| Infant | 0.5 | 3.1 | % of RBC | ||
| Immature reticulocyte fraction (IRF) | Adult | 1.6 | 12.1 | % of reticulocytes | |
| Reticulocyte hemoglobin equivalent | Adult | 30.0 | 37.6 | % | |
| 24.1 | 35.8 | pg | |||
| Immature platelet fraction (IPF) | Adult | 0.8 | 5.6 | % |
| Test | Patient type | Lower limit | Upper limit | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White Blood Cell Count (WBC) | Adult | 3.5, 3.9, 4.1, 4.5 | 9.0, 10.0, 10.9, 11 | ×109/L ×103/mm3 or ×103/μL |
| Newborn | 9 | 30 | ||
| 1 year old | 6 | 18 | ||
| Neutrophil granulocytes (A.K.A. grans, polys, PMNs, or segs) | Adult | 1.3, 1.8, 2 | 5.4, 7, 8 | ×109/L |
| 45–54 | 62, 74 | % of WBC | ||
| Newborn | 6 | 26 | ×109/L | |
| Neutrophilic band forms | Adult | 0.7 | ×109/L | |
| 3 | 5 | % of WBC | ||
| Lymphocytes | Adult | 0.7, 1.0 | 3.5, 3.9, 4.8 | ×109/L |
| 16–25 | 33, 45 | % of WBC | ||
| Newborn | 2 | 11 | ×109/L | |
| Monocytes | Adult | 0.1, 0.2 | 0.8 | ×109/L |
| 3, 4.0 | 7, 10 | % of WBC | ||
| Newborn | 0.4 | 3.1 | ×109/L | |
| Mononuclear leukocytes (Lymphocytes + monocytes) | Adult | 1.5 | 5 | ×109/L |
| 20 | 35 | % of WBC | ||
| CD4+ T cells | Adult | 0.4, 0.5 | 1.5, 1.8 | ×109/L |
| Eosinophil granulocytes | Adult | 0.0, 0.04 | 0.44, 0.45, 0.5 | ×109/L |
| 1 | 3, 7 | % of WBC | ||
| Newborn | 0.02 | 0.85 | ×109/L | |
| Basophil granulocytes | Adult | 40 | 100, 200, 900 | ×106/L |
| 0.0 | 0.75, 2 | % of WBC | ||
| Newborn | 0.64 | ×109/L |
| Test | Lower limit | Upper limit | Unit | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thrombocyte/Platelet count (Plt) | 140, 150 | 350, 400, 450 | ×109/L or x1000/μL | |
| Mean platelet volume (MPV) | 7.2, 7.4, 7.5 | 10.4, 11.5, 11.7 | fL | |
| Prothrombin time (PT) | 10, 11, 12 | 13, 13.5, 14, 15 | s | PT reference varies between laboratory kits – INR is standardised |
| INR | 0.9 | 1.2 | The INR is a corrected ratio of a patient's PT to normal | |
| Activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) | 18, 30 | 28, 42, 45 | s | |
| Thrombin clotting time (TCT) | 11 | 18 | s | |
| Fibrinogen | 1.7, 2.0 | 3.6, 4.2 | g/L | |
| Antithrombin | 0.80 | 1.2 | kIU/L | |
| 0.15, 0.17 | 0.2, 0.39 | mg/mL | ||
| Bleeding time | 2 | 9 | minutes | |
| Viscosity | 1.5 | 1.72 | cP |
| Test | Patient | Lower limit | Upper limit | Unit | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) | Male | 0 | Age÷2 | mm/h | ESR increases with age and tends to be higher in females. |
| Female | (Age+10)÷2 | ||||
| C-reactive protein (CRP) | 5, 6 | mg/L | |||
| 200, 240 | nmol/L | ||||
| Alpha 1-antitrypsin (AAT) | 20, 22 | 38, 53 | μmol/L | ||
| 89, 97 | 170, 230 | mg/dL | |||
| Procalcitonin | 0.15 | ng/mL or μg/L |
| Test | Negative | Equivocal | Positive | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| anti-SS-A (Ro) | n/a | ≥ 1.0 | Units (U) | |
| anti-SS-B (La) | n/a | ≥ 1.0 | ||
| Anti ds-DNA | 30.0–75.0 | > 75.0 | International Units per millilitre (IU/mL) | |
| Anti ss-DNA | 8–10 | > 10 | Units per millilitre (U/mL) | |
| Anti-histone antibodies | n/a | > 25 | ||
| Cytoplasmic anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (c-ANCA) | 21–30 | > 30 | ||
| Perinuclear anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (p-ANCA) | n/a | > 5 | ||
| Anti-mitochondrial antibodies (AMA) | 0.1-0.9 | ≥ 1.0 | Units (U) | |
| Rheumatoid factor (RF) | 20–30 | > 30 | Units per millilitre (U/mL) | |
| Antistreptolysin O titre (ASOT) in preschoolers | > 100 | |||
| ASOT at school age | > 250 | |||
| ASOT in adults | > 125 |
| Test | Negative | Low/weak positive | Moderate positive | High/strong positive | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anti-phospholipid IgG | 20–30 | 31–50 | > 51 | GPLU/mL | |
| Anti-phospholipid IgM | 1.5–2.5 | 2–9.9 | > 10 | MPL /mL | |
| Anti-phospholipid IgA | 10–20 | 21–30 | > 31 | arb U/mL | |
| Anti-citrullinated protein antibodies | 20–39 | 40–59 | > 60 | EU |
| Test | Lower limit | Upper limit | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serum free light chains (FLC): kappa/lambda ratio | 0.26 | 1.65 | (unitless) |
| Test | Lower limit | Upper limit | Unit | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serum total protein | 60, 63 | 78, 82, 84 | g/L | Further information: Serum total protein § Interpretation |
| Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) | 50 | 150 | U/L | |
| 0.4 | 1.7 | μmol/L | ||
| 1.8 | 3.4 | μkat/L | ||
| Amylase | 25, 30, 53 | 110, 120, 123, 125, 190 | U/L | |
| 0.15 | 1.1 | μkat/L | ||
| 200 | 240 | nmol/L | ||
| D-dimer -more detailed ranges in D-dimer article | n/a | 500 | ng/mL | Higher in pregnant women |
| 0.5 | mg/L | |||
| Lipase | 7, 10, 23 | 60, 150, 208 | U/L | |
| Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) | 23 | 57 | U/L | |
| Acid phosphatase | 3.0 | ng/mL | ||
| Eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) | 2.3 | 16 | μg/L |
| Test | Patient type | Lower limit | Upper limit | Unit | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Osmolality | 275, 280, 281 | 295, 296, 297 | mOsm/kg | Plasma weight excludes solutes | |
| Osmolarity | Slightly less than osmolality | mOsm/L | Plasma volume includes solutes | ||
| Urea | 3.0 | 7.0 | mmol/L | BUN – blood urea nitrogen | |
| 7 | 18, 21 | mg/dL | |||
| * Uric acid | 0.18 | 0.48 | mmol/L | ||
| Female | 2.0 | 7.0 | mg/dL | ||
| Male | 2.1 | 8.5 | mg/dL | ||
| Creatinine | Male | 60, 68 | 90, 118 | μmol/L | May be complemented with creatinine clearance |
| 0.7, 0.8 | 1.0, 1.3 | mg/dL | |||
| Female | 50, 68 | 90, 98 | μmol/L | ||
| 0.6, 0.8 | 1.0, 1.1 | mg/dL | |||
| BUN/Creatinine Ratio | 5 | 35 | – | ||
| Plasma glucose (fasting) | 3.8, 4.0 | 6.0, 6.1 | mmol/L | See also glycated hemoglobin (in hematology) | |
| 65, 70, 72 | 100, 110 | mg/dL | |||
| Full blood glucose (fasting) | 3.3 | 5.6 | mmol/L | ||
| 60 | 100 | mg/dL | |||
| Random glucose | 3.9 | 7.8 | mmol/L | ||
| 70 | 140 | mg/dL | |||
| Lactate (Venous) | 4.5 | 19.8 | mg/dL | ||
| 0.5 | 2.2 | mmol/L | |||
| Lactate (Arterial) | 4.5 | 14.4 | mg/dL | ||
| 0.5 | 1.6 | mmol/L | |||
| Pyruvate | 300 | 900 | μg/dL | ||
| 34 | 102 | μmol/L | |||
| Ketones | 1 | mg/dL | |||
| 0.1 | mmol/L | ||||
Medication
| Test | Lower limit | Upper limit | Unit | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digoxin | 0.5 | 2.0 | ng/mL | Narrow therapeutic window |
| 0.6 | 2.6 | nmol/L | ||
| Lithium | 0.4, 0.5, 0.8 | 1.3 | mmol/L | Narrow therapeutic window |
| Paracetamol | 30 | mg/L | Risk of paracetamol toxicity at higher levels | |
| 200 | μmol/L |
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