cbc · Hgb · Hb
Hemoglobin
The oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells. Low hemoglobin = anemia; high can reflect dehydration or other conditions.
This page is general wellness education, not medical advice. Your own lab’s reference range and your clinician’s interpretation always take precedence.
Typical reference range
| Group | General range |
|---|---|
| Men | 13.5 – 17.5 g/dL |
| Women | 12 – 15.5 g/dL |
Units: g/dL. Ranges vary by lab and assay — read yours against the range printed on your own report.
What high Hemoglobin can mean
- Dehydration
- Smoking
- Living at altitude
- Polycythemia
What low Hemoglobin can mean
- Iron/B12/folate deficiency
- Blood loss
- Chronic disease
- Kidney disease