CBC Units of Measurement Metric
Overview
Complete Blood Count (CBC) results are reported using standardized units of measurement. Understanding these units helps you interpret your test results correctly.
Common Units in CBC Results
Cell Counts
- cells/uL or cells/mcL: Cells per microliter (1 millionth of a liter)
- x103/uL or K/uL: Thousands of cells per microliter (commonly used for WBC and platelets)
- x106/uL or M/uL: Millions of cells per microliter (commonly used for RBC)
Hemoglobin
- g/dL: Grams per deciliter (grams of hemoglobin in 100 mL of blood)
- g/L: Grams per liter (alternative unit, multiply g/dL by 10)
Hematocrit
- %: Percentage of blood volume occupied by red blood cells
- L/L: Fraction (alternative unit, divide % by 100)
Red Cell Indices
- fL: Femtoliters (for MCV - Mean Corpuscular Volume)
- pg: Picograms (for MCH - Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin)
- g/dL: Grams per deciliter (for MCHC - Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration)
Unit Conversion Examples
| Test | SI Units | Conventional Units |
|---|---|---|
| WBC | 5.0 x109/L | 5,000 cells/uL |
| RBC | 4.5 x1012/L | 4.5 x106/uL |
| HGB | 140 g/L | 14.0 g/dL |
| HCT | 0.42 L/L | 42% |
| PLT | 200 x109/L | 200,000/uL |
Why Units Matter
- Accurate Interpretation: Misreading units can lead to incorrect conclusions
- Reference Ranges: Each unit has corresponding reference ranges
- Data Integration: Converting to standard units enables cross-study comparisons
Related Terms
- Reference Range: Expected values for healthy individuals
- CBC: Complete Blood Count overview