Above the range
Common causes of a high Hemoglobin (Hgb)
- Polycythemia
- Chronic hypoxia
- Dehydration
- High-altitude living
Looking for the other direction? See what causes a low Hemoglobin (Hgb).
All tests · Complete Blood Count (CBC) · Hemoglobin (Hgb)
Above the range
What causes a high Hemoglobin (Hgb)?
Normal range 12-17.5 g/dL (120-175 g/L SI). Specimen: Whole blood (EDTA). See the full Hemoglobin (Hgb) reference page for critical values and nursing considerations.
What is the normal range for Hemoglobin (Hgb)?
The standard teaching reference range for Hemoglobin (Hgb) is 12-17.5 g/dL in conventional units, or 120-175 g/L in SI units. This value is measured in whole blood (edta).
| Specimen | Whole blood (EDTA) |
|---|---|
| Conventional range | 12-17.5 g/dL |
| SI range | 120-175 g/L |
| Critical value | < 7.0 g/dL (70 g/L) usually prompts transfusion consideration; > 20 g/dL |
| Panel | Complete Blood Count (CBC) |
Full details, including nursing considerations, on the Hemoglobin (Hgb) normal range page. Reference ranges vary by laboratory, method, age, sex, and population - always use the range printed on the actual result.
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