Your result is in front of you, full of numbers with stars and arrows, and you want to know just one thing: is this normal? A good table of normal ranges gives you that first foothold in thirty seconds. But before you start comparing, one thing first, because it saves you needless alarm.
My stance: a normal-values table is a compass, not a verdict. The range on your own result is always leading, because labs differ in measurement method and sometimes use slightly different limits. So read the table below as a guideline, not a law.
Blood count
| Value | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| Haemoglobin (Hb) | 8.5 to 11.0 mmol/L | 7.5 to 10.0 mmol/L |
| Haematocrit (Ht) | 0.40 to 0.54 L/L | 0.36 to 0.47 L/L |
| MCV | 80 to 100 fL | |
| Leukocytes | 4.0 to 10.0 x109/L | |
| Platelets | 150 to 400 x109/L | |
| Erythrocytes | 4.5 to 5.5 x1012/L | 3.8 to 5.0 x1012/L |
Liver and kidney function
| Value | Reference |
|---|---|
| ALT | Men under 45 U/L, women under 35 U/L |
| AST | Men under 35 U/L, women under 30 U/L |
| Gamma-GT (GGT) | Men under 55 U/L, women under 40 U/L |
| Creatinine | Men 60 to 110 µmol/L, women 45 to 90 µmol/L |
| eGFR | Above 90 mL/min/1.73m² (normal) |
Lipids, blood sugar and more
| Value | Target or normal value |
|---|---|
| Total cholesterol | Below 5.0 mmol/L (target) |
| HDL cholesterol | Men above 1.0, women above 1.3 mmol/L |
| LDL cholesterol | Below 3.0 mmol/L (lower with risk factors) |
| Triglycerides | Below 1.7 mmol/L (fasting) |
| Fasting glucose | 3.5 to 5.5 normal, 5.6 to 6.9 prediabetes, 7.0+ diabetes |
| HbA1c | Below 42 normal, 42 to 47 prediabetes, 48+ diabetes (mmol/mol) |
| TSH | 0.4 to 4.0 mU/L |
| Free T4 | 12 to 22 pmol/L |
| Ferritin | Men 30 to 300, women 15 to 150 µg/L |
| Vitamin D (25-OH) | 50 to 125 nmol/L sufficient, below 30 deficiency |
| Vitamin B12 | 150 to 600 pmol/L |
| CRP | Below 5 mg/L (normal) |
How do you read a value just outside the range?
This is where most needless worry arises. A value that falls just outside the reference range is rarely a problem straight away. The Dutch College of General Practitioners (NHG) and Thuisarts.nl stress that reference values are statistically determined: they cover about 95 percent of healthy people. That means roughly one in twenty healthy people naturally falls outside the range with nothing wrong. Diet, timing of the draw, medication and even a mild cold can shift a value temporarily.
What helps is looking at the pattern rather than a single number, and re-measuring later when in doubt. A deviation that keeps coming back says more than a one-off outlier.
Which values carry the most weight?
Not every deviation is equally important. Some values warrant attention, others fluctuate naturally and rarely give cause for concern. This grouping helps you prioritise, though your doctor's assessment remains leading.
| Priority | Examples | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Discuss soon | Glucose and HbA1c strongly raised, LDL markedly high | Directly linked to diabetes and heart risk |
| Keep an eye on | Ferritin low, vitamin D low, TSH slightly off | Easily correctable, often explains symptoms |
| Often harmless | One liver value just over the limit, slight blood count fluctuation | Shifts easily with lifestyle or timing |
The Dutch Heart Foundation (Hartstichting) deliberately places cholesterol and blood sugar high on the list, because these values in particular can rise without symptoms and acting in time makes the most difference.
Important caveats
- Reference values can differ slightly between laboratories.
- Age, sex and pregnancy affect some values, as described in our guide to blood values in men and women.
- A value just outside the range is not automatically a problem.
- Always discuss abnormal values with a healthcare provider.
- Units differ by country: in the Netherlands labs often use mmol/L, while online you sometimes find mg/dL. Always compare the same unit, otherwise you draw a wrong conclusion.
One last practical tip: keep your old results. The greatest value of a normal-values table arises when you can track your own numbers over time. A value that stays within range but is clearly rising is more interesting than a one-off snapshot.
If you want a broad set of values measured at once, the complete metabolic panel covers much of this table, or choose a more focused lipid panel for your cholesterol. For context when choosing values, our guide to the annual blood test helps.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my reference range differ from this table?
Labs sometimes use slightly different values, depending on measurement method and population data. Always compare your result with the reference values on your own lab report.
What if a value falls just outside the range?
A slight deviation need not be a problem. Diet, medication and timing of the draw play a role. For repeatedly abnormal values, further testing is advisable.
How often should I check my blood values?
As a preventive check, once every one to two years is enough for most adults. With conditions or risk factors, your doctor may advise more often.
Every blood test result at Vitalcheck includes a professional assessment by a BIG-registered doctor. A blood value is not a diagnosis: always discuss treatment decisions with your GP.
Sources
- Thuisarts.nl / NHG. Understanding the result of my blood test. Accessed 2026.
- RIVM. Reference values and health: figures and context. Accessed 2026.
Author
Vitalcheck
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