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Hemoglobin Calculator

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Enter your hemoglobin level and sex to check whether it falls within the standard reference range, with automatic unit conversion.

Hemoglobin Calculator

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Category
Normal
Reference range
13.5-17.5 g/dL
In g/L
145.0 g/L
Uses commonly cited adult reference ranges. Pregnancy, altitude, and some lab methods use different thresholds - this is informational only, not a diagnosis.

The reference ranges

Men: Low under 13.5 g/dL, Normal 13.5-17.5 g/dL, High over 17.5 g/dL Women: Low under 12.0 g/dL, Normal 12.0-15.5 g/dL, High over 15.5 g/dL Unit conversion: g/dL x 10 = g/L
Example

A reading of 14.5 g/dL for a man falls in the Normal range (13.5-17.5) - the same value converts to 145.0 g/L, the unit used in some countries' lab reports.

Step-by-step guide

  1. Find your hemoglobin (Hgb or Hb) result on your complete blood count (CBC) lab report.
  2. Enter the value in g/dL - if your report shows g/L instead, divide by 10 first.
  3. Select your sex, since the normal range differs between men and women, and read your category.

Common mistakes

Mixing up g/dL and g/L when entering a lab value from outside the US - a result reported as "145 g/L" is a normal 14.5 g/dL, not an alarmingly high number.
Using the standard non-pregnant adult range while pregnant - pregnancy lowers the normal threshold, since blood volume increases substantially during pregnancy.

Frequently asked questions

Why is the reference range different for men and women?

Testosterone promotes red blood cell production, so men naturally run higher on average. Women's ranges also reflect regular blood loss through menstruation, which lowers average iron stores and hemoglobin.

Does pregnancy change the normal range?

Yes - pregnancy uses lower thresholds, since blood volume increases substantially. This calculator uses standard non-pregnant adult ranges, so pregnant users should ask their doctor about pregnancy-specific reference values.

What causes a low hemoglobin result?

The most common cause worldwide is iron deficiency, but vitamin B12 or folate deficiency, chronic disease, blood loss, and kidney disease can also cause it - a doctor can identify the specific cause with further testing.

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