Below the range
Common causes of a low Hemoglobin (Hgb)
- Iron-, B12-, or folate-deficiency anemia
- Blood loss
- Chronic kidney disease
- Hemolysis
Looking for the other direction? See what causes a high Hemoglobin (Hgb).
All tests · Complete Blood Count (CBC) · Hemoglobin (Hgb)
Below the range
What causes a low 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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