Components of CBC with Diff, CMP, and Coagulation Tests with Normal Values
A complete blood count (CBC) with differential, comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), and coagulation tests (D-Dimer, PT, PTT, aPTT, PT-INR) provide essential information about your blood cells, organ function, and clotting ability, with specific normal ranges for each component.
CBC with Differential
Red Blood Cell Parameters
- Red Blood Cells (RBC): 4.5-5.9 million cells/μL (males); 4.1-5.1 million cells/μL (females)
- Hemoglobin (Hb): 13.5-17.5 g/dL (males); 12.0-15.5 g/dL (females)
- Hematocrit (Hct): 41-50% (males); 36-44% (females)
- Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV): 80-100 fL
- Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH): 27-33 pg
- Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC): 33-36 g/dL
- Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW): 11.5-14.5%
White Blood Cell Parameters
- White Blood Cells (WBC): 4,500-11,000 cells/μL
- Differential Count:
- Neutrophils: 40-60% (1,800-7,800 cells/μL)
- Lymphocytes: 20-40% (1,000-4,800 cells/μL)
- Monocytes: 2-10% (200-950 cells/μL)
- Eosinophils: 1-6% (0-700 cells/μL)
- Basophils: 0-2% (0-200 cells/μL)
Platelet Parameters
- Platelet Count: 150,000-450,000 cells/μL
- Mean Platelet Volume (MPV): 7.5-11.5 fL
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
Electrolytes
- Sodium: 135-145 mEq/L
- Potassium: 3.5-5.0 mEq/L
- Chloride: 98-107 mEq/L
- Carbon Dioxide (CO2): 23-29 mEq/L
Kidney Function
- Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN): 7-20 mg/dL
- Creatinine: 0.6-1.2 mg/dL (males); 0.5-1.1 mg/dL (females)
- Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR): >90 mL/min/1.73m²
Liver Function
- Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT): 7-56 U/L (males); 7-45 U/L (females)
- Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST): 8-48 U/L (males); 8-43 U/L (females)
- Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP): 40-129 U/L
- Total Bilirubin: 0.1-1.2 mg/dL
- Direct Bilirubin: 0.0-0.3 mg/dL
Proteins
- Total Protein: 6.0-8.3 g/dL
- Albumin: 3.5-5.0 g/dL
- Globulin: 2.3-3.5 g/dL
- Albumin/Globulin Ratio: 1.2-2.2
Other
- Glucose: 70-99 mg/dL (fasting)
- Calcium: 8.5-10.2 mg/dL
Coagulation Tests
D-Dimer
- Normal Range: <500 ng/mL FEU (Fibrinogen Equivalent Units)
- Purpose: Measures fibrin degradation products; elevated in blood clots, DIC
Prothrombin Time (PT)
- Normal Range: 11-13.5 seconds
- Purpose: Measures time for plasma to clot; evaluates extrinsic pathway
Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT)
- Normal Range: 25-35 seconds
- Purpose: Similar to aPTT but less standardized
Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT)
- Normal Range: 30-40 seconds
- Purpose: Measures time for plasma to clot; evaluates intrinsic pathway
PT-INR (International Normalized Ratio)
- Normal Range: 0.8-1.1 (without anticoagulant therapy)
- Therapeutic Range: 2.0-3.0 (for most patients on warfarin)
- Purpose: Standardized measurement of PT for monitoring anticoagulant therapy 1
What These Tests Tell Us
CBC with Differential
- Red Blood Cells: Oxygen-carrying capacity
- White Blood Cells: Immune system function, infection, inflammation
- Platelets: Blood clotting ability
CMP
- Electrolytes: Fluid and electrolyte balance
- Kidney Function: How well kidneys filter waste
- Liver Function: Liver health and function
- Glucose: Blood sugar control
Coagulation Tests
- D-Dimer: Presence of abnormal blood clots
- PT/INR: Function of clotting factors in extrinsic pathway
- PTT/aPTT: Function of clotting factors in intrinsic pathway 1, 2
ADHD-Friendly Tips for Understanding Your Results
- Color coding: Ask for color-coded results (red for high, blue for low, green for normal)
- Visual representation: Request graphs showing where your values fall within normal ranges
- Simplified explanations: Ask your healthcare provider to explain only the most important results
- Written summary: Request a written summary of key findings to review later
- Digital access: Use patient portals to review results when you're most focused
- Bring support: Have someone with you during result discussions to help remember information
Remember that abnormal values don't always indicate a problem and should be interpreted by your healthcare provider in the context of your overall health 3, 4.