What is a Good Hemoglobin and Hematocrit Number?

Hemoglobin
Hemoglobin (Hb or Hgb) is a protein substance in red blood cells. It is composed of iron, which is an oxygen carrier.

Normal Values:
Adult: Male: 13.5 – 18 g/dl; 8.4 – 11.2 mmol/l (SI units); Female: 12 – 15 g/dl; 7.45 – 9.31 mmol/l (SI units)
Child: Newborn: 14-24 g/dl. Infant: 10 -17 g/dl. Child: 11-16 g/dl

Clinical Problems:

Decreased level: anemias, cancers, kidney diseases, excess IV fluids, Hodgkin’s disease

Increase level: Dehydration/hemoconcentration; polycythemia; high altitudes; chronic obstructive lung disease; CHF; severe burns

Hematocrit
The hematocrit (Hct) is the volume of packed red blood cells (RBCs) in 100 ml of blood, expressed as percentage. It is the portion of RBCs to plasma.Hematocrit is approximately three times the hemoglobin value if the hemoglobin is within normal level

Normal Values:
Adult: Male: 40% - 50%, 0.40 – 0.54 (SI units); Female: 36% - 46%, 0.36 – 0.46 (SI units); panic value: less than 15% and greater than 60%
Child: Newborn: 44% - 65%; child: 1-3 years: 29% - 40%; 4-10 years: 31% - 43%

Clinical Problems

Decreased level: Acute blood loss, anemias, leukemias, Hodgkin’s disease, lymphosarcoma, multiple myeloma, chronic renal failure, cirrhosis of the liver, malnutrition, Vitamin B and C defeciencies, pregnancy, systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE), rheumatoid arthritis, peptic ulcer, bone marrow failure.

Increased level: Dehydration/hypovolemia, severe diarrhea, polycythemia vera, diabetic acidosis, pulmonary emphysema (later stage), transient cerebral ischemia (TIA), eclampsia, trauma, surgery, burns.

Reference:
Kee, J. (2009). Prentice Hall Handbook of Laboratory & Diagnostic Tests. 6th ed. Pearson Prentice Hall: New Jersey