Normal values for haemoglobin packed cell volume, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate in healthy Nigerian adults

The haemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) of healthy medical students, resident medical staff and student nurses were determined. Of the 163 males and 193 females studied for Hb and PCV, the mean Hbs were 15.2 and 13.8 g/dl respectively and the mean PCVs were 0.46 and 0.41 1/1 respectively. Of the 108 males and seventy-two females investigated for ESR the mean values were 3.0 mm and 6.4 mm in the first hour respectively. The mean Hb for the 282 male blood donors studied in comparison was 13.4 g/dl. The results of the survey show that both Hb and PCV compare favourably with those obtained from studies in Western countries, but differ significantly from those in Nigerian and other tropical areas. Similarly, all the ESR values in males and females in the present study come within the accepted range in Western studies. It is suggested that Hb, PCV, and ESR determinations obtained from healthy Nigerians in whom nutritional deficiencies are absent are comparable with results obtained from subjects in Western countries.