Public record
Hemoglobin: the public record
Each table is computed from the named federal dataset as of its data date; the method is under each one.
Population data
How hemoglobin is distributed in US adults
In the 2021 to 2023 US national health survey, the median hemoglobin was 15.1 g/dL in men aged 20 to 39 and 13.2 g/dL in women aged 20 to 39. Half of people in each group fall below the median; the row notes give the range covering the middle 90%.
| Measure | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Men 20 to 39, median | 15.1 g/dL | middle 90% of people: 13.4 to 16.5; 629 people tested |
| Men 40 to 59, median | 15.0 g/dL | middle 90% of people: 13.0 to 16.7; 738 people tested |
| Men 60 and over, median | 14.6 g/dL | middle 90% of people: 11.9 to 16.5; 1,216 people tested |
| Women 20 to 39, median | 13.2 g/dL | middle 90% of people: 10.6 to 14.6; 821 people tested |
| Women 40 to 59, median | 13.4 g/dL | middle 90% of people: 11.0 to 15.1; 934 people tested |
| Women 60 and over, median | 13.4 g/dL | middle 90% of people: 11.2 to 15.1; 1,430 people tested |
How this was calculated
Computed survey-weighted 5th, 50th and 95th percentiles from the CDC public file by sex and age band, using the sample weight WTPH2YR. Groups with fewer than 50 people are left out.
US adults aged 20 and over who gave a sample in NHANES 2021 to 2023, CDC variable LBXHGB (Hemoglobin (g/dL))
These are population distributions, not clinical reference ranges or treatment targets. They include people with and without health conditions and people on medication. Laboratories differ in method and units.