Parameter
Haemoglobin
Adult Male
13-17 g/dL
Adult Female
12-15 g/dL
ReferenceAll Years (1st-Final)All UniversitiesNormal Lab Values
Normal Lab Values PDF (MBBS Reference)
Laboratory reference ranges are tested across all four years of MBBS -- from Biochemistry and Pathology vivas in 1st and 2nd Year, through clinical interpretation questions in General Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Final Year. This page is an MBBS study reference. Download the full verified chart as a PDF via the GeckoMed app.
Verification note: The values on this page are drawn from standard references used in MBBS education in India. Individual laboratory reference ranges vary by method and analyser. Always verify against your university's recommended textbook before citing specific values in an examination. Enzyme-based values (ALT, AST, ALP, GGT) and coagulation parameters (PT, APTT) vary widely by method and are not included in this table -- refer to your Pathology or Biochemistry textbook for those values.
Open in GeckoMed appNormal Lab Values for MBBS Students
Haematology (Complete Blood Count)
| Parameter | Adult Male | Adult Female |
|---|---|---|
| Haemoglobin | 13-17 g/dL | 12-15 g/dL |
| RBC count | 4.5-5.5 × 10⁶/mm³ | 3.8-4.8 × 10⁶/mm³ |
| Packed Cell Volume (PCV / Haematocrit) | 40-54% | 36-47% |
| Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) | 80-100 fL | 80-100 fL |
| Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin (MCH) | 27-32 pg | 27-32 pg |
| Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Conc. (MCHC) | 32-36 g/dL | 32-36 g/dL |
| Total WBC count | 4,000-11,000/mm³ | 4,000-11,000/mm³ |
| Platelet count | 1,50,000-4,00,000/mm³ | 1,50,000-4,00,000/mm³ |
| ESR -- Westergren (1st hour) | 0-15 mm | 0-20 mm |
| Reticulocyte count | 0.5-2.0% | 0.5-2.0% |
Parameter
RBC count
Adult Male
4.5-5.5 × 10⁶/mm³
Adult Female
3.8-4.8 × 10⁶/mm³
Parameter
Packed Cell Volume (PCV / Haematocrit)
Adult Male
40-54%
Adult Female
36-47%
Parameter
Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV)
Adult Male
80-100 fL
Adult Female
80-100 fL
Parameter
Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin (MCH)
Adult Male
27-32 pg
Adult Female
27-32 pg
Parameter
Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Conc. (MCHC)
Adult Male
32-36 g/dL
Adult Female
32-36 g/dL
Parameter
Total WBC count
Adult Male
4,000-11,000/mm³
Adult Female
4,000-11,000/mm³
Parameter
Platelet count
Adult Male
1,50,000-4,00,000/mm³
Adult Female
1,50,000-4,00,000/mm³
Parameter
ESR -- Westergren (1st hour)
Adult Male
0-15 mm
Adult Female
0-20 mm
Parameter
Reticulocyte count
Adult Male
0.5-2.0%
Adult Female
0.5-2.0%
WHO definition of anaemia (commonly tested in Medicine and OBG papers):
- Adult males: Hb less than 13 g/dL
- Adult non-pregnant females: Hb less than 12 g/dL
- Pregnant women: Hb less than 11 g/dL
Blood Glucose
| Parameter | Normal Range |
|---|---|
| Fasting blood glucose | 70-100 mg/dL |
| 2-hour post-prandial blood glucose | Less than 140 mg/dL |
| HbA1c (glycated haemoglobin) -- normal | Less than 5.7% |
Parameter
Fasting blood glucose
Normal Range
70-100 mg/dL
Parameter
2-hour post-prandial blood glucose
Normal Range
Less than 140 mg/dL
Parameter
HbA1c (glycated haemoglobin) -- normal
Normal Range
Less than 5.7%
Diabetes mellitus is diagnosed when fasting glucose is 126 mg/dL or above on two occasions, or 2-hour post-prandial glucose is 200 mg/dL or above, or HbA1c is 6.5% or above -- criteria per the American Diabetes Association (ADA), adopted in NMC CBME curriculum.
Serum Electrolytes
| Electrolyte | Normal Range |
|---|---|
| Sodium (Na⁺) | 136-145 mEq/L |
| Potassium (K⁺) | 3.5-5.0 mEq/L |
| Chloride (Cl⁻) | 98-106 mEq/L |
| Bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻) | 22-28 mEq/L |
| Total calcium (Ca²⁺) | 8.5-10.5 mg/dL |
Electrolyte
Sodium (Na⁺)
Normal Range
136-145 mEq/L
Electrolyte
Potassium (K⁺)
Normal Range
3.5-5.0 mEq/L
Electrolyte
Chloride (Cl⁻)
Normal Range
98-106 mEq/L
Electrolyte
Bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻)
Normal Range
22-28 mEq/L
Electrolyte
Total calcium (Ca²⁺)
Normal Range
8.5-10.5 mg/dL
Renal Function Tests
| Parameter | Normal Range |
|---|---|
| Blood urea | 15-40 mg/dL |
| Serum creatinine (male) | 0.7-1.3 mg/dL |
| Serum creatinine (female) | 0.5-1.1 mg/dL |
Parameter
Blood urea
Normal Range
15-40 mg/dL
Parameter
Serum creatinine (male)
Normal Range
0.7-1.3 mg/dL
Parameter
Serum creatinine (female)
Normal Range
0.5-1.1 mg/dL
Liver Function Tests (Key Values)
| Parameter | Normal Range |
|---|---|
| Total serum bilirubin | 0.2-1.0 mg/dL |
| Direct (conjugated) bilirubin | Up to 0.3 mg/dL |
| Serum albumin | 3.5-5.0 g/dL |
| Total serum protein | 6.0-8.0 g/dL |
Parameter
Total serum bilirubin
Normal Range
0.2-1.0 mg/dL
Parameter
Direct (conjugated) bilirubin
Normal Range
Up to 0.3 mg/dL
Parameter
Serum albumin
Normal Range
3.5-5.0 g/dL
Parameter
Total serum protein
Normal Range
6.0-8.0 g/dL
Liver enzyme values (SGPT/ALT, SGOT/AST, ALP, GGT) are not included here as they vary significantly with laboratory method. Use your Pathology textbook for these.
Arterial Blood Gas (ABG)
| Parameter | Normal Range |
|---|---|
| pH | 7.35-7.45 |
| PaO₂ | 75-100 mmHg |
| PaCO₂ | 35-45 mmHg |
| HCO₃⁻ (calculated bicarbonate) | 22-26 mEq/L |
Parameter
pH
Normal Range
7.35-7.45
Parameter
PaO₂
Normal Range
75-100 mmHg
Parameter
PaCO₂
Normal Range
35-45 mmHg
Parameter
HCO₃⁻ (calculated bicarbonate)
Normal Range
22-26 mEq/L
ABG values are most commonly tested in Medicine papers as acid-base interpretation questions.
How Normal Lab Values Appear in MBBS University Exams
Laboratory reference ranges appear across all four years of MBBS in four main question formats.
Direct recall questions (Biochemistry, Pathology vivas) "What is the normal range of haemoglobin?" or "State the normal serum sodium level." These are standard viva questions in 1st Year Biochemistry and 2nd Year Pathology practical exams. Keeping a card-sized reference summary of the most-asked values helps in practical sessions.
Definition questions using lab criteria (Medicine, OBG) "Define anaemia." (Requires knowing the WHO Hb cutoffs by sex and pregnancy status.) "Define diabetes mellitus." (Requires knowing the ADA glucose and HbA1c diagnostic thresholds.) These questions appear in theory papers and the answer must include the specific numerical criteria.
Interpretation questions (Medicine, Pathology, OBG) "A patient has Hb 8 g/dL, MCV 65 fL, MCH 20 pg. What type of anaemia is this? What are the causes?" The answer requires knowing the normal MCV range (80-100 fL) to identify this as microcytic anaemia. Similarly, electrolyte interpretation questions ("Serum sodium is 128 mEq/L -- what is the diagnosis?") require knowing the normal range of 136-145 mEq/L.
ABG interpretation (Medicine, Anaesthesia posting) "Interpret the following ABG: pH 7.28, PaCO₂ 55 mmHg, HCO₃ 24 mEq/L." Requires knowing the normal ranges for each parameter to identify respiratory acidosis. ABG interpretation is a standard short note or clinical case question in General Medicine papers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the normal haemoglobin range for MBBS exams?
For adult males, the normal haemoglobin range is 13-17 g/dL. For adult non-pregnant females, it is 12-15 g/dL. For the purpose of defining anaemia, the World Health Organization uses cutoffs of less than 13 g/dL in adult males, less than 12 g/dL in adult non-pregnant females, and less than 11 g/dL in pregnant women. Values may vary slightly between reference sources; always verify against your university's recommended textbook.
Which normal lab values are most commonly asked in MBBS university papers?
The most frequently tested values in university theory and viva exams are haemoglobin and anaemia definition cutoffs (tested in Medicine and OBG), fasting blood glucose and HbA1c thresholds for diabetes diagnosis (Medicine), MCV for anaemia classification (Pathology and Medicine), serum sodium and potassium (Medicine and Biochemistry), and arterial blood gas parameters for acid-base interpretation (Medicine). These appear across multiple subjects and years.
Is the normal lab values reference available as a PDF download?
Yes. The GeckoMed app includes a PDF version of the normal lab values reference for offline use during revision, practicals, and ward postings. Download the app on Android or iOS to access it along with PYQs, topic notes, and viva preparation for your university's subjects.
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