Haemoglobin: normal range and what it means
Short answer: The normal haemoglobin range is 13.2 – 16.6 g/dL for men and 11.6 – 15 g/dL for women. In SI units that is about 132 – 166 g/L for men and 116 – 150 g/L for women. Labs differ a little, so also check the range printed on your report.
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Where does your haemoglobin sit?
The healthy range is different for women and men.
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Information, not a diagnosis. Talk to a doctor about your result, and sooner if you feel unwell.
Oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells; low = anaemia.
Normal range
This marker’s healthy range depends on sex and age.
| Normal range | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| Low | < 13.2 g/dL | < 11.6 g/dL |
| Normal | 13.2 – 16.6 g/dL | 11.6 – 15 g/dL |
| High | ≥ 16.6 g/dL | ≥ 15 g/dL |
What it measures
The protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. Low levels (anaemia) cause fatigue and breathlessness.
What moves it
Iron, B12 and folate status, blood loss, hydration and altitude.
How to bring it into range
Correcting iron/B-vitamin deficiencies and treating any blood loss.
How fast it responds
Weeks.
Also reported as: hb · hgb · haemoglobin · hemoglobin
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Common questions
- What is the normal haemoglobin range?
- The normal haemoglobin range is 13.2 – 16.6 g/dL for men and 11.6 – 15 g/dL for women. In SI units that is about 132 – 166 g/L for men and 116 – 150 g/L for women. Labs differ a little, so also check the range printed on your report.
- What does a high Haemoglobin mean?
- A value above the reference band means Haemoglobin is outside the range typical for a healthy adult. A single reading is rarely conclusive on its own — what matters is the trend across draws and the other markers around it, which is why HealthOS reads the whole panel together rather than one number at a time.
- How do I improve my Haemoglobin?
- Correcting iron/B-vitamin deficiencies and treating any blood loss.
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Reference ranges are general-population guidance compiled from common clinical laboratories, not a diagnosis. Lab-to-lab ranges differ. Always read your results with your doctor.