The document provides an overview of how to read and interpret a hemogram or complete blood count (CBC) test report. It explains what a hemogram tests for and how it is performed. Key red blood cell parameters like PCV, MCV, MCH, MCHC and RDW are defined and their significance discussed. The document also outlines white blood cell parameters like TLC and DLC, and their normal ranges. Abnormal values are explained and correlated with different types of anemias or diseases.

1. How do I Read My Hemogram Test or CBC Lab
Report?
Posted By SUMIT SHARMA
● Introduction
● What is a hemogram test, and what is it used for?
● What is the difference between a hemogram and a CBC test?
● What is included in the complete hemogram test list?
● What do red blood cell indices indicate in hemogram tests?
➢ PCV in Blood Test
➢ Red Blood Cell Count in Hemogram Test
➢ MCV in blood test
➢ Hb Range in CBC Lab Report
➢ MCH in blood test

2. ➢ MCHC blood test
➢ RDW in CBC blood test
● What is TLC in a blood test report?
● What is DLC in the blood test report?
● When should I worry about my platelet count? Or What causes abnormal blood platelets?
● What is ESR in the hemogram test?
● What is CRP test used for?
● Conclusion
● FAQ
➢ Q 1. Can CBC detect blood infection?
➢ Q 2. Is fasting required for Haemogram?
➢ Q 3. Is hemogram and hemoglobin same?
➢ Q 4. What color tube is hemogram?
➢ Q 5. What is the cost of complete Hemogram test?
Introduction
Want to know about the hemogram test report?
Whenever we get sick and visit the doctor for a check-up. Our first test in a
doctor’s prescription is a complete hemogram test or CBC (Complete Blood
Count) test.

3. A hemogram test is one of the important diagnostic medical tools that help to find
out various disorders, including anemia, infection, inflammation, allergies, and
leukaemia.
This test provides information on the quality, quantity, size, and shape of your
blood count.
A hemogram test report also gives an idea to diagnose your disease.
When you receive your hemogram report, your report will show two columns: a
“reference range” and your results.
You can consider your results normal if they’re within the reference range. And
your results would be abnormal if they differ from the reference range.
Your hemogram results should be clinically correlated with your symptoms. This
hemogram test tells your current health status and helps your doctor to identify the
disease.
This post will discuss the crucial parameters (such as PCV, MCV, MCH, MCHC,
DLC, etc.) of the hemogram or CBC test.
Moreover, we will interpret the hemogram results.
What is a hemogram test, and what is it used for?
A hemogram is a medical laboratory test that analyses the complete blood count. It
is one of the most routine laboratory blood tests.
This laboratory test is often recommended when you get sick or struggle with
symptoms like fever, weakness, sore throat, shortness of breath, pain, etc.
The main purpose of this blood test is to check your overall health and identify a
wide range of disorders including anaemia, allergies, infection, inflammation and
leukaemia.

4. Overall, a hemogram test help to find the cause of the disease or your symptoms.
What is the difference between a hemogram and a CBC
test?
A Complete Hemogram test is also known as a complete blood count (CBC) or full
blood count test.
A hemogram and CBC test are generally the same blood test, but there is a slight
difference between these two tests.
In the hemogram test, you can find the complete blood count (CBC) results with
ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate). While CBCs only include full blood count
results without ESR.

5. Here, ESR is used to identify the inflammation problem.
This is the only difference between a hemogram and a CBC test.
How is the hemogram test done?
A Complete hemogram is basically a simple blood test.
You need to give 3 ml of blood for the hemogram test or 1 ml for the CBC test.
The blood sample is taken in a purple tube. This purple tube contains a chemical
called EDTA.
EDTA is basically an anticoagulant property that helps to prevent the clotting of
blood.
After taking the blood sample, this purple tube is put into a haematology analyser.
This analyser gives complete reading about your blood counts.

6. What is included in the complete hemogram test list?
The CBC test evaluates your whole blood counts value, including RBC (Red blood
cells), WBC (White blood cells), and Platelets.
You may also get the reading of crucial parameters of blood counts such as –
Red blood cell indices
● Mean Cell Volume (MCV)
● Mean Cell Haemoglobin (MCH)
● Mean Cell Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC)
● Haemoglobin content
● RBC Distribution Width (RDW)
● Packed Cell Volume (PCV) OR Haematocrit (HCT)
Complete white blood cells count
● TLC (Total Leukocyte count)
● DLC (Differential Leucocyte count) – Neutrophils, Eosinophils, Basophils,
Lymphocytes and Monocytes.
Platelet count and indices
● Platelet count

7. ● Mean Platelet Volume (MPV)
● Platelet Crit (PCT)
● Platelet Distribution Width (PDW)
Moreover, the hemogram test determines the ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation
Rate) value.
What do red blood cell indices indicate in hemogram
tests?
When you get your blood test report, you might have seen such values as PCV,
RDW, MCV, MCH and MCHC.
These parameters (PCV, RDW, MCV, MCH and MCHC) are called red blood cell
indices.
Let’s understand each RBC indices separately –

8. PCV in Blood Test
Have you ever tried to know PCV meaning in blood test reports?
Blood is an essential biological fluid that constantly circulates in your body
through blood vessels. It is a combination of cells (RBC, WBC & platelets) and
plasma.
Suppose you give a 1 ml blood sample for a blood test. If you centrifuge your
blood sample, you will see three layers in the test tube.
These three layers represent –
● Top layer (yellowish colour) – Plasma
● Middle layer (yellowish-brown) – Buffy coat (White blood cells and
platelets)
● Lower layer (dark red) – Red blood cells (erythrocytes)

9. In this 1 ml blood sample, you will get 0.45 ml red blood cells (RBC) that
aggregate at the bottom of a test tube.
If we calculate red blood cells in proportion, it would be 45% of the total blood
sample.
The percentage or volume of red blood cells represents Packed Cell Volume
(PCV), also known as haematocrit value.
● PCV normal value = 45% (0.45 ml)
● PCV normal range for men = 40 to 54%
● PCV normal range for women = 36 to 48%
PCV low means you don’t have enough red blood cells in your body, indicating
anemia.
Due to this anemia, you may feel lethargy, weakness, shortness of breath,
yellowish skin and headache.
It would help if you correlated with other blood parameters.
Red Blood Cell Count in Hemogram Test
The Red Blood Cell Count represent the number of red blood cells in a given
sample.
Generally, a 1 ml blood sample contains 5 million RBCs.
The normal red blood cell value is 5000000/ml.
The primary function of your red blood cells is to transport oxygen from the lungs
to the body’s tissues.

10. Suppose you have less RBC count (3000000/ml) in your blood, which represents
anemia. But you need to correlate with other laboratory parameters (like MCV,
MCHC, RDW) to find the type of anaemia.
Conversely, too many RBC count (7000000/ml) represents erythrocytosis. The
main causes of erythrocytosis are polycythemia vera, heart disease, lung disease
etc.
MCV in blood test
The MCV full form is Mean Cell Volume. It represents the average volume
occupied by one red blood cell.
To know the size and volume of one RBC in a healthy person, you need to check
the MCV value.
MCV generally calculates by –
MCV=PCV/Total RBC count
MCV = 0.45/5000000 = 90 x 10-15 L
= 90 femtolitre (FL)
The MCV blood test normal range is 90 ± 10 FL, indicating the normal shape. The
normal shape of RBC is called Normocytic.
It means the range of MCV values usually is between 80 FL to 100 FL.
Now, you can read the MCV value easily in your CBC report. For example,
Normal MCV range
● MCV = 80 to 100 FL (Normocytic – Normal MCV)
Abnormal MCV level

11. ● MCV high means large RBC shape, called Macrocytosis. It generally
happens if your MCV level is more than 110 FL.
● MCV low means small RBC shape, called Microcytosis. It generally
happens if your MCV level is less than 80 FL.
Hb Range in CBC Lab Report
You must have seen the Hb value in your blood test report.
Hb indicates haemoglobin. The leading role of hemoglobin is to deliver oxygen to
all tissues.
Generally, each RBC contains some amount of haemoglobin. RBC is like a bag of
haemoglobin but is not 100 % full.
A healthy person may get 33 % haemoglobin content in one RBC.
To know the haemoglobin content in total RBC, you may calculate by PCV. For
example,
Suppose the normal PCV value is 0.45 ml.
Then, 33% of PCV will be the total haemoglobin content = 0.45/3 = 0.15 ml
A unit of hemoglobin measurement is grams per deciliter (g/dl). So, the normal
range of haemoglobin will be 15 gm/dl.
It generally varies in different age groups –
● Hemoglobin normal level for male = 14 to 18 g/dl
● Hemoglobin normal level for female = 12 to 16 g/dl

12. ● Hemoglobin normal level in pregnancy = 12 to 16 g/dL
● Hemoglobin normal level for newborn = 14 to 24 g/dl
● Hemoglobin normal level for 6-18 years children = 10 to 15.5 g/dl
MCH in blood test
The MCH full form is Mean Corpuscular (or cell) Haemoglobin.
To know the amount of haemoglobin in one healthy RBC, you must see the MCH
value.
It can be calculated by –
MCH=Total Hb content/Total RBC count
MCH = 15/5000000
=30 Picograms (Pg)
Here, MCH 30 Pg is normally present in a healthy RBC. You can find the normal
MCH value (30 Pg) in a healthy person’s CBC Lab Report.
MCHC blood test
The MCHC full form is Mean Corpuscular (or cell) Haemoglobin Concentration.
The MCHC value tells the degree of haemoglobin juiciness in a single RBC.
If you want to know the haemoglobin concentration (or % of Hb) in one RBC, then
check the MCHC value.
It can be calculated by –

13. MCHC= Total Hb content/PCV
MCH = 15/0.45 =33%
You can find the average MCHC value (33 %) in a healthy person’s CBC lab
report.
The normal MCHC value represents a Normochromic RBC. It means you have an
average degree of hemoglobinization (or normal red colour RBC).
If you find the MCHC value low (i.e., 20%) in your blood test report, then it
indicates Hypochromic RBC.
Conversely, if you find the MCHC value high (i.e., 50%), then it indicates
Hyperchromic RBC.
Therefore, MCHC is an important laboratory parameter in diagnosing the anaemic
condition.
RDW in CBC blood test
RDW is also a significant laboratory parameter in diagnosing anaemia.
Here, RDW stands for RBC Distribution Width. Basically, RDW tells the variation
in the size of RBC.
You can see the RDW value in percentage or Bell-shaped graph form.
The RDW normal range is 12 to 15%. Suppose your RBCs do not vary by 12 to
15%. In that case, medically, it is called anisocytosis (red blood cells are not
similar in size).
You can see the abnormal value of RDW in iron deficiency anemia.
RDW normally correlate with MCV.

14. Suppose your MCV value is 60 FL in the blood report. In that case, you will see a
narrow bell-shaped curve with less than 12% RDW value. It indicates Microcytic
anaemia (RBCs shape is very small).
MCV 60 FL + 7% RDW value (or Narrow bell-shaped curve) = Microcytic
anaemia
Microcytic anaemia is generally happened due to iron deficiency anaemia.
Conversely, if the MCV value is 110 FL and the Bell-shaped curve is too wide with
more than 15 % RDW value. It indicates Macrocytic anaemia (RBCs shape are
very large).
MCV 110 FL + 22% RDW value (or Wide bell-shaped curve) = Macrocytic
anaemia
Macrocytic anaemia generally happens due to Vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia or
Vitamin B9 (or folic acid) deficiency. It is also called Megaloblastic Macrocytic
anaemia.
How do you interpret MCV MCH and MCHC?
Normally, red blood cells are biconcave disc-shaped. It becomes abnormal during
anemia.
Suppose you got a lesser number of red blood cells (25000000/ml) in your blood
report; it would indicate anemia.
But RBC count would not help in determining the type of anemia.
You might have also seen MCV, MCH and MCHC values in your blood test report.
This value helps your doctor identify the type of anemia.
Here, I have mentioned the different CBC test report images that help in
determining anemia types –

17. What is TLC in a blood test report?
In the hemogram test, TLC full form is total leucocyte count.
TLC is also known as WBC (or white blood cells). The main function of TLC is to
protect your body from infection (or foreign invaders).
The purpose of the TLC test is to know the underlying cause of the disease.
If we talk about TLC count, you can observe a normal TLC range of around 4,000
to 11,000 counts in 1 ml of a blood sample.
The normal range of TLC also varies in different age groups –
● TLC normal range in new-born baby = 9,000 to 30,000 cells/ml
● TLC normal range in children aged 2 years or below = 6200-17,000 cells/ml

18. ● TLC normal range in over 2 years and adult = 4,000 to 11,000 cells/ml
Your TLC count becomes dangerous if more than 11,000 cells/ml indicates
Leukocytosis and lower (<4,500 cells/ μL) than the normal range called
Leukopenia.
It can be more critical if less than 500 cells/ml indicates the risk of life-threatening
infections. If it is over 30,000 cells/μL means massive illness or severe disease
such as leukaemia.
If you have a low WBC count, then you can’t fight against infection. Leukopenia is
strongly associated with AIDS, HIV, dengue, malaria, aplastic anemia, and other
immunocompromised diseases.
Reasons Leukocytosis risk
factors
Leukopenia risk
factors
Physiological
causes
● Exercise
● Stress
● Pregnancy
● Smoking
● Taking
steroids
● Vitamin or
mineral
deficiencie
s
● Drug
induced
leukopenia

19. like
Clozapine
Pathological
causes
● Infection
● Inflammatio
n
● Tissue
damage
● Allergies
● Asthama
● Tuberculosi
s
● Arthritis
● Tumors in
bone
marrow
● HIV
● Autoimmu
ne
disorders
● Lymphoma
● Severe
infections
● Liver
disease
● Spleen
disease

20. ● Inflammator
y bowel
disease
(IBD)
What is DLC in the blood test report?
In the hemogram test, DLC full form is Differential Leucocyte Count.
In the CBC report, differential leucocyte counts (DLCs) indicate the proportion of
different types of white blood cells.
White blood cells (or TLC) are divided into two basic categories – granulocytes
and non-granulocytes.
Granulocytes are those cells that contain granules (or small particles), and it
releases during infection, inflammation, and allergies. It includes neutrophils,
eosinophils and basophils.
While agranulocytes do not contain granules in their cytoplasm. It includes
monocytes and lymphocytes.
Let’s discuss each DLC cell –
Neutrophils
The most abundant white blood cells in our blood are Neutrophils. Your blood test
report shows that the normal percentage of Neutrophils is 40 to 75%.
If your neutrophil count is higher than 75%, that indicates Neutrophilia.

21. Generally, Neutrophils count gets an increase in recent onset inflammation for a
short duration.
Neutrophilia can also be seen in infection, which produces pus like staphylococcus
and streptococcus infection in sore throat, pharyngitis tonsilitis, etc.
In contrast, if your neutrophils are lower than 40%, that indicates Neutropenia. It
commonly happens in viral infections.
Eosinophils
Eosinophil counts are less abundant in our blood. The blood report shows normal
eosinophils count of around 1-6 %.
If your eosinophils count is higher than 6% in your CBC, that indicates
Eosinophilia.
Your eosinophils count increases when you are exposed to any parasitic infection
or allergic reactions.
Sometimes, you might see fewer eosinophils count (<1%) in your blood report that
indicates Eosinopenia. It is commonly seen in sepsis, Cushing syndrome and
long-term use of steroids.
Basophils
Basophils usually are present in around 0-2% of white blood cells. The higher
basophil count (more than 2%) indicates Basophilia.
You can see higher basophils count if you have an immediate type of allergic
reaction (or Type-1 hypersensitivity).
Monocytes

22. Monocytes are just like a type of phagocyte. These cells find the germs (or
micro-organisms) and destroy them.
Your blood report shows a normal monocyte count of around 2 to 10%.
More than 10 % of monocytes indicate Monocytosis. It is classically seen in
chronic infections (or long-term infections) like tuberculosis, HIV etc.
Lymphocytes
Lymphocytes are the main army of your immune system.
When any microbes or foreign particles enter your body, these cells fight with them
and protect your body.
Lymphocytes have two main types –
● T-Lymphocytes (also called T cells or Natural killer cells), and
● B-Lymphocytes (also called B cells)
B- Cells help produce antibodies, while T-cells directly kill the micro-organism.
The normal lymphocytes are present in 15 to 40%.
If you find an increase (more than 40%) in lymphocyte count in the CBC report, it
indicates Lymphocytosis. It is mostly seen in viral infections and chronic
infections.
On the other hand, if you observe a low lymphocyte count (less than 15%) in your
CBC report, it indicates Lymphocytopenia. It is mostly seen in HIV, autoimmune
disorders and undernutrition conditions.

23. When should I worry about my platelet count? Or What
causes abnormal blood platelets?
The primary function of platelets is to stop bleeding. If you get injury or
inflammation, platelets help to make a clot to prevent bleeding.
Although, platelets can slightly increase during inflammation. It can be a concern if
there is damage to your blood vessels. In this circumstance, your body increases
the platelets count from the normal range and deposits in the damaged area that
makes a clot.
In adults, the normal platelet count ranges from 150,000 to 450,000 counts per ml
of blood.
If your platelet count is more than 4,50,000 per ml, it is called thrombocytosis,
which can lead to a risk of clotting.
It can also elevate in –
● Heart disease by atherosclerosis
● Myeloproliferative disorders (bone marrow makes too many blood cells)
● Infection
● Iron deficiency anemia and hemolytic anemia
● Inflammatory illnesses like rheumatoid arthritis, IBD (Inflammatory bowel
disorder)
● Cancer

24. If there is an unknown cause of high platelet count is called thrombocythemia.
It may be life-threatening if your blood platelet count is below the normal range
(<1,50,000), leading to the risk of bleeding. The lower platelet count is called
thrombocytopenia.
It is most commonly seen in dengue, malaria, typhoid, viral infection, vitamin B12
deficiency, leukemia, anemia, autoimmune disease, etc.
Also read, Best foods to increase platelet counts
What is ESR in the hemogram test?
ESR is a strong inflammatory marker in your hemogram test report. This parameter
tells the information about inflammation.
The ESR full form is Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate. It measures the
sedimentation rate of red blood cells in a test tube.
If I say simply, This ESR test shows how quickly the number of red blood cells
falls in one hour.
● ESR normal value in men = 0 to 15 mm/hr
● ESR normal value in women = 0 to 20 mm/hr
Suppose you got a high ESR value (80 mm/hr) that indicates inflammation in your
body.
High ESR means your red blood cells are falling too fast than normal.
It generally happens when the fibrinogen level is high.
In our blood, there is a protein called fibrinogen. The crucial role of fibrinogen is
to make blood clot that helps to prevent bleeding.

25. It is just like glue. If the fibrinogen value is high, it will stick to red blood cells and
increase the sedimentation rate.
So, inflammation depends on fibrinogen and should be in a normal range.
Whenever your immune system gets aggressive during infection, it destroys the
tissue that causes inflammation.
In this condition, if you observe your ESR blood test report, you will see a high
ESR value. This high ESR value represents you have inflammation in your body.
ESR is generally increased in arthritis, autoimmune disease, renal disease etc.
High ESR values can also be seen in physiological conditions like pregnancy and
older people.
What is CRP test used for?
Suppose you want to know the confirmation of inflammation or infection. In that
case, you must check the CRP value in your hemogram blood test.
In the blood test report, CRP’s full form is C-Reactive Protein.
CRP normal range is 0.8 to 1 mg/dl; it may vary from lab-to-lab report.
CRP is present in your blood but released from the liver. During inflammation or
infection, the CRP level gets high.
High CRP is a classical sign of acute inflammation, but it also gives information
about past inflammation (or chronic infection).
It is generally correlated with ESR and other clinical symptoms.
Conclusion

26. A hemogram test does not reflect any particular disease. This is a helping tool to
identify and diagnose the medical condition.
Your doctor may correlate the hemogram or CBC report with your symptoms,
medical history, current medication, and other factors.
It can be used in regular health check-ups.
It is the only informative article.
Here, I have explained every hemogram parameter. Now, you can read your
hemogram blood test report easily.
If you have any doubts regarding this post, please let me know by leaving a
comment below.
FAQ
Q 1. Can CBC detect blood infection?
Yes. CBC is a valuable laboratory blood test to detect blood infection. You need to
check your TLC count. If the TLC count is high, you have an infection.
Conversely, low TLC means you are more susceptible to getting an infection.
Q 2. Is fasting required for Haemogram?
Although, there is no strong recommendation for fasting for a hemogram test. But
as per a study, food intake might impact some CBC parameters like WBC counts.
Therefore, giving a blood sample in 12 hours of fasting would be best for accurate
results.
Q 3. Is hemogram and hemoglobin same?

27. No. Hemogram and hemoglobin are not the same. Hemoglobin (Hb) is a blood
parameter of the hemogram test.
Q 4. What color tube is hemogram?
A purple color tube is used for a hemogram or CBC test. This tube contains a
chemical called EDTA that helps to prevent blood clotting.
Q 5. What is the cost of complete Hemogram test?
The complete hemogram test is relatively inexpensive. The cost of a hemogram
test varies in different cities. If your doctor advises CBC, you have to go to the
pathology lab and give the blood sample. After a few hours, you will get your CBC
result.
Sources –
1. Reinhold munker et al. Modern hematology. Biology and clinical
management, 2nd edition. Humana press, new jersey, 2007. Chapter -1, 2, 5,
and 7.
2. The Etiology and Management of Leukopenia
3. Drugs induced neutropenia
4. Complete blood count
5. Megaloblastic Anemia and Other Causes of Macrocytosis

28. 6. Complete blood count. Wikipedia
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