Published: 3 Nov 2024 Low and High limits of Lab tests Medical
When reviewing blood work, understanding the reference ranges (low and high limits) for various tests is essential for interpreting results.
Here�s a general overview of common lab tests and their typical reference ranges, though these can vary by lab:
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
White Blood Cells (WBC): 4,500 to 11,000 cells/mcL
Red Blood Cells (RBC):
Males: 4.7 to 6.1 million cells/mcL
Females: 4.2 to 5.4 million cells/mcL
Hemoglobin (Hgb):
Males: 13.8 to 17.2 g/dL
Females: 12.1 to 15.1 g/dL
Hematocrit (Hct):
Males: 40.7% to 50.3%
Females: 36.1% to 44.3%
Platelets: 150,000 to 450,000 platelets/mcL
Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP)
Glucose: 70 to 99 mg/dL (fasting)
Calcium: 8.5 to 10.2 mg/dL
Sodium: 135 to 145 mEq/L
Potassium: 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L
Bicarbonate (CO2): 23 to 30 mEq/L
Chloride: 98 to 107 mEq/L
Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN): 7 to 20 mg/dL
Creatinine:
Males: 0.6 to 1.2 mg/dL
Females: 0.5 to 1.1 mg/dL
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
Includes all BMP tests plus:
Protein, Total: 6.0 to 8.3 g/dL
Albumin: 3.5 to 5.0 g/dL
Bilirubin, Total: 0.1 to 1.2 mg/dL
Alkaline Phosphatase: 44 to 147 IU/L
AST (SGOT): 10 to 40 IU/L
ALT (SGPT): 7 to 56 IU/L
Lipid Panel
Total Cholesterol: Less than 200 mg/dL
LDL Cholesterol: Less than 100 mg/dL
HDL Cholesterol:
Males: 40 mg/dL or higher
Females: 50 mg/dL or higher
Triglycerides: Less than 150 mg/dL
Thyroid Panel
TSH: 0.4 to 4.0 mIU/L
Free T4: 0.8 to 1.8 ng/dL
Free T3: 2.3 to 4.2 pg/mL
Key Points
Always consider the specific reference ranges provided by the lab, as they may vary based on population, method, and equipment used.
Results outside the normal range can indicate various health conditions but should be discussed with a healthcare provider for context and further evaluation.
If you have specific test results you�d like to discuss, feel free to share!