Interpretation of Complete Blood Count Values
Your complete blood count values are within normal limits and no specific intervention is needed at this time. The values you've provided (RBC 5.46, hemoglobin 15.3, hematocrit 49, MCHC 31) all fall within standard reference ranges for adults.
Analysis of Individual Parameters
Red Blood Cell (RBC) count: 5.46 million cells/mcL
- Normal range for adults: 4.5-5.9 million cells/mcL for men; 4.0-5.2 million cells/mcL for women
- Your value is within normal limits
Hemoglobin (Hgb): 15.3 g/dL
- Normal range: 13.5-17.5 g/dL for men; 12.0-15.5 g/dL for women
- Your value is within normal limits
Hematocrit (Hct): 49%
- Normal range: 41-50% for men; 36-48% for women
- Your value is within normal limits, though at the upper end of normal
Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC): 31 g/dL
- Normal range: 31-36 g/dL
- Your value is at the lower limit of normal
Clinical Significance
These values indicate normal red blood cell production and function. There is no evidence of anemia, which would be indicated by low hemoglobin and hematocrit values. Similarly, there is no evidence of polycythemia, which would be indicated by significantly elevated RBC count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit.
The MCHC value at the lower limit of normal suggests that your red blood cells contain a normal concentration of hemoglobin. This parameter is useful in distinguishing different types of anemia, but since your other values are normal, this is not a concern.
When to Consider Further Evaluation
While your current values are normal, certain situations would warrant further investigation:
If hemoglobin were to drop below 7 g/dL, this would indicate severe anemia requiring intervention 1
If hemoglobin were to rise above 17.5 g/dL (for men) or 15.5 g/dL (for women), this could suggest polycythemia and warrant further evaluation
If MCHC were to drop below 31 g/dL, this could indicate hypochromic anemia, which might be due to iron deficiency or other conditions
If you were to develop symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, or dizziness despite normal values, further evaluation would be appropriate
Monitoring Recommendations
For healthy individuals with normal CBC values:
- Routine follow-up CBC testing as part of regular health maintenance
- No specific monitoring is required based solely on these values
For individuals with certain medical conditions, more frequent monitoring may be appropriate:
- Patients with chronic kidney disease with GFR <30 ml/min per 1.73 m² should have hemoglobin checked at least every three months 1
- Patients receiving erythropoietin therapy should have blood pressure checked with each dose 1
Conclusion
Your complete blood count values are within normal limits. No specific intervention is required based on these results alone.