Hemoglobin normal range for men, women and pregnancy

Hemoglobin – Normal range chart

Ranges differ a little from lab to lab.

What does my result mean?

What this test checks

The test measures how much hemoglobin is in your blood, in grams per decilitre (g/dL). It is checked in routine health check-ups, during pregnancy, before surgery, and in people with tiredness, paleness, breathlessness or heavy periods. People being treated for anaemia usually recheck after a few weeks, as their doctor advises.

Common reasons for a high value

• Smoking
• Dehydration (not drinking enough water)
• Living at a high altitude
• Long-term lung or heart disease
• Rarely, a bone marrow condition that makes too many red cells

Common reasons for a low value

• Low iron (the most common cause)
• Low vitamin B12 or folic acid
• Heavy periods or blood loss from piles or stomach ulcers
• Pregnancy, when the need for iron goes up
• Long-term kidney disease or other chronic illness
• Inherited conditions such as thalassaemia trait

How to prepare

No fasting is needed for hemoglobin or CBC. You can give the sample at any time of day. If your package also includes fasting sugar or a lipid profile, fast 10–12 hours overnight.

This page is general information, not medical advice. The normal range printed on your own report is the one that applies, and only a doctor can tell what your result means for you.