Blood Test Normal Ranges: Australian Reference Guide

RCPA-standard reference ranges for over 50 common blood markers. Bookmark this page as your go-to resource when reading Australian pathology results.

About Australian Reference Ranges

Australian pathology laboratories follow guidelines set by the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA). While individual labs may have slight variations due to different analysers and methodologies, the ranges below represent the most commonly used adult reference intervals across Australian pathology providers including Sonic Healthcare (Laverty, Melbourne Pathology, Sullivan Nicolaides), Healius (QML, Dorevitch, Western Diagnostic), and Australian Clinical Labs.

Important: These ranges are for adults aged 18 and over. Paediatric reference ranges differ significantly, particularly for haemoglobin, alkaline phosphatase, and hormones. Always refer to the specific ranges printed on your pathology report.

Quick Navigation

Full Blood Count (CBC)Iron Studies Lipid Panel Thyroid Function Liver Function Kidney Function Diabetes Electrolytes Vitamins Hormones Inflammation

Full Blood Count (CBC)

The full blood count (FBC/CBC) is the most commonly ordered blood test in Australia. It measures your red cells, white cells, and platelets to assess overall health, detect infections, and screen for blood disorders.

Marker Name	Abbreviation	Normal Range (Adults)	Units	Notes
Haemoglobin	Hb / HGB	M: 130–170 / F: 120–150	g/L	Lower in pregnancy; higher at altitude
White Cell Count	WCC / WBC	4.0–11.0	×10⁹/L	Elevated in infection or inflammation
Platelets	PLT	150–400	×10⁹/L	Clotting function; low = bleeding risk
Red Cell Count	RCC / RBC	M: 4.5–5.5 / F: 3.8–4.8	×10¹²/L	Total number of red blood cells
Haematocrit	HCT / PCV	M: 0.40–0.50 / F: 0.36–0.46	L/L	Percentage of blood volume that is red cells
Mean Cell Volume	MCV	80–100	fL	Size of red blood cells; low in iron deficiency
Mean Cell Haemoglobin	MCH	27–33	pg	Amount of Hb per red cell
Mean Cell Hb Concentration	MCHC	320–360	g/L	Concentration of Hb in red cells
Red Cell Distribution Width	RDW	11.5–14.5	%	Variation in red cell size

Iron Studies

Iron studies measure how much iron your body has stored and how well it is being transported. Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency in Australia, particularly in women of reproductive age.

Marker Name	Abbreviation	Normal Range (Adults)	Units	Notes
Ferritin	Ferritin	M: 30–300 / F: 20–200	µg/L	Iron stores; most useful single iron test
Serum Iron	Fe	10–30	µmol/L	Fluctuates throughout the day
Transferrin	Tf	2.0–3.6	g/L	Iron transport protein; rises when iron low
Transferrin Saturation	TSAT	15–45	%	High in haemochromatosis (>45%)
Total Iron Binding Capacity	TIBC	45–80	µmol/L	Indirect measure of transferrin levels

Lipid Panel

The lipid panel measures your cholesterol and triglyceride levels to assess cardiovascular risk. Australian guidelines recommend fasting for 10–12 hours before this test for the most accurate triglyceride reading.

Marker Name	Abbreviation	Normal Range (Adults)	Units	Notes
Total Cholesterol	TC	<5.5	mmol/L	Desirable level; lower is generally better
LDL Cholesterol	LDL-C	<3.4	mmol/L	"Bad" cholesterol; <2.0 if high CV risk
HDL Cholesterol	HDL-C	M: >1.0 / F: >1.2	mmol/L	"Good" cholesterol; higher is better
Triglycerides	TG	<2.0	mmol/L	Fasting sample preferred; rises after meals
Total Cholesterol / HDL Ratio	TC:HDL	<4.5	ratio	Lower ratio = lower cardiovascular risk

Thyroid Function

Thyroid function tests check how well your thyroid gland is working. TSH is always the first test ordered. Free T4 and Free T3 are added if TSH is abnormal. Thyroid disease affects approximately 1 in 20 Australians.

Marker Name	Abbreviation	Normal Range (Adults)	Units	Notes
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone	TSH	0.4–4.0	mIU/L	First-line thyroid screen; high = underactive
Free Thyroxine	Free T4 / FT4	10–20	pmol/L	Active thyroid hormone; low in hypothyroidism
Free Triiodothyronine	Free T3 / FT3	3.5–6.5	pmol/L	Most metabolically active thyroid hormone
Thyroid Antibodies	TPO Ab / TG Ab	Varies by lab	IU/mL	Elevated in Hashimoto’s and Graves’ disease

Liver Function

Liver function tests (LFTs) measure enzymes and proteins produced by the liver. They help detect liver damage from alcohol, medications, fatty liver disease, hepatitis, and other conditions.

Marker Name	Abbreviation	Normal Range (Adults)	Units	Notes
Alanine Aminotransferase	ALT	M: <40 / F: <35	U/L	Most specific liver enzyme; rises in hepatitis
Aspartate Aminotransferase	AST	M: <40 / F: <35	U/L	Also found in heart and muscle tissue
Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase	GGT	M: <60 / F: <40	U/L	Sensitive to alcohol and medication effects
Alkaline Phosphatase	ALP	30–110	U/L	Also rises in bone disease; higher in children
Bilirubin	Bili	2–20	µmol/L	Causes jaundice when elevated (>35)
Albumin	Alb	35–50	g/L	Nutritional status and liver synthetic function
Total Protein	TP	60–80	g/L	Albumin + globulins combined

Kidney Function

Kidney function tests assess how well your kidneys are filtering waste. eGFR is calculated from creatinine and is the best single measure of kidney function. Chronic kidney disease affects 1 in 10 Australian adults.

Marker Name	Abbreviation	Normal Range (Adults)	Units	Notes
Creatinine	Cr / Creat	M: 60–110 / F: 45–90	µmol/L	Waste product from muscle; rises when kidneys struggle
eGFR	eGFR	>90	mL/min/1.73m²	Estimated kidney filtration rate; <60 = CKD stage 3+
Urea	Urea / BUN	3.0–8.0	mmol/L	Protein metabolism waste; affected by diet
Uric Acid	UA	M: 0.20–0.43 / F: 0.15–0.35	mmol/L	High levels associated with gout

Diabetes

Diabetes markers measure blood sugar control. HbA1c is the gold standard for monitoring diabetes management, reflecting average blood glucose over the previous 2–3 months. Over 1.3 million Australians have diagnosed diabetes.

Marker Name	Abbreviation	Normal Range (Adults)	Units	Notes
Fasting Glucose	FBG / FPG	3.0–5.4	mmol/L	5.5–6.9 = pre-diabetes; ≥7.0 = diabetes
HbA1c	HbA1c / A1C	<6.0% / <42	% or mmol/mol	3-month average blood sugar; 6.0–6.4% = pre-diabetes
Random Glucose	RBG	<7.8	mmol/L	Non-fasting; ≥11.1 = likely diabetes

Electrolytes

Electrolytes are minerals that carry an electric charge and are essential for nerve and muscle function, fluid balance, and acid-base regulation. Abnormalities can be caused by dehydration, medications, and kidney disease.

Marker Name	Abbreviation	Normal Range (Adults)	Units	Notes
Sodium	Na	135–145	mmol/L	Fluid balance; low in overhydration or some medications
Potassium	K	3.5–5.0	mmol/L	Critical for heart rhythm; dangerous if very high or low
Chloride	Cl	95–110	mmol/L	Usually moves with sodium
Bicarbonate	HCO₃	22–32	mmol/L	Acid-base balance indicator
Calcium	Ca	2.15–2.55	mmol/L	Adjusted for albumin; high in hyperparathyroidism
Magnesium	Mg	0.7–1.0	mmol/L	Low in alcoholism, diuretic use, poor diet
Phosphate	PO₄	0.8–1.5	mmol/L	Inversely related to calcium in some conditions

Vitamins

Vitamin levels are commonly tested in Australia. Vitamin D deficiency is widespread, particularly during winter months south of Brisbane. B12 deficiency is common in older adults and those on plant-based diets.

Marker Name	Abbreviation	Normal Range (Adults)	Units	Notes
Vitamin D	25-OH Vit D	50–150	nmol/L	<50 = deficient; extremely common in AU winter
Vitamin B12	B12	150–750	pmol/L	Deficiency mimics dementia in elderly; low in vegans
Folate	Folate	>7.0	nmol/L	Essential in pregnancy; low in poor diet and alcoholism

Hormones

Hormone tests measure the chemical messengers that regulate metabolism, reproduction, mood, and growth. Ranges vary significantly by sex, age, and for women, by menstrual cycle phase.

Marker Name	Abbreviation	Normal Range (Adults)	Units	Notes
Testosterone	Testo	M: 8–27 / F: 0.5–2.6	nmol/L	Declines ~1–2% per year in men after age 30
Oestradiol	E2	Varies by cycle phase	pmol/L	Follicular: 100–400, Ovulation peak: 400–1500, Luteal: 200–800
Cortisol (morning)	Cortisol	140–690	nmol/L	Stress hormone; must be measured 8–9am fasting
Prolactin	PRL	M: <15 / F: <25	µg/L	Elevated by some medications and pituitary tumours

Inflammation

Inflammation markers detect and monitor inflammatory processes in the body. CRP rises within hours of an infection or injury, while ESR changes more slowly. hs-CRP is specifically used for cardiovascular risk assessment.

Marker Name	Abbreviation	Normal Range (Adults)	Units	Notes
C-Reactive Protein	CRP	<5	mg/L	Acute inflammation marker; rises rapidly with infection
Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate	ESR	M: <15 / F: <20	mm/hr	Chronic inflammation; slower to rise and fall than CRP
High-Sensitivity CRP	hs-CRP	<1.0 (low CV risk)	mg/L	1.0–3.0 = moderate risk; >3.0 = high cardiovascular risk

Important Notes About Reference Ranges

Understanding what “normal” actually means on your blood test report.

1. Ranges are for adults aged 18+

Children and adolescents have different normal ranges for many markers. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is naturally much higher in growing children. Haemoglobin ranges are lower in younger age groups. Always use paediatric-specific reference intervals for anyone under 18.

2. Your lab's specific ranges take priority

The ranges printed on your pathology report are calibrated to the specific analyser used by that laboratory. If your lab's range says 135–145 for sodium but this page says 136–145, trust your lab. These tables are a general guide, not a replacement for lab-specific intervals.

3. “Normal” means 95% of healthy people

Reference ranges are derived from the middle 95% of results from a healthy population. This means 2.5% of perfectly healthy people will naturally fall above the range, and 2.5% below. A single marginally out-of-range result does not necessarily indicate a problem — context and trends matter far more.

4. Some values change with age

Ranges for markers like PSA, testosterone, oestradiol, and cholesterol shift as you get older. A total cholesterol of 6.0 mmol/L might be flagged as high for a 30-year-old but could be typical for someone in their 70s on no medication. Age-adjusted interpretation is important.

5. Pregnancy has completely different ranges

During pregnancy, haemoglobin drops (haemodilution), white cell count rises, thyroid hormone levels shift, and many other markers change significantly. Standard adult ranges should not be applied to pregnant women. Your obstetrician or midwife will use pregnancy-specific reference intervals.

Australian Pathology Labs

Most Australian pathology results come from one of three major providers: Sonic Healthcare, Healius, or Australian Clinical Labs. Each has its own patient portal where you can download PDF copies of your results. SmarterBlood works with results from all Australian labs — simply upload your PDF or take a photo of your printed report.

Find Your Lab & Download Results

Upload Your Results — We Know AU Ranges

SmarterBlood uses RCPA-standard Australian reference ranges to analyse your blood test results. Upload a PDF or photo and get instant AI-powered insights, trend tracking, and shareable reports for your doctor.

Create Free Account Upload Blood Tests