What could cause low or high hemoglobin levels? The typical range for hemoglobin varies by age, sex, and pregnancy status. Abnormal levels may indicate underlying health conditions.

Understanding Hemoglobin Levels

Hemoglobin (Hgb) is a crucial protein found in red blood cells that helps transport oxygen from the lungs to the body’s tissues and carbon dioxide back to the lungs. Abnormally high or low Hgb levels can lead to various symptoms and may indicate underlying health conditions.

Factors Affecting Hemoglobin Levels

An individual’s Hgb levels can vary based on age, sex, and pregnancy status. Typical healthy Hgb levels are:

• For men: Below 13 g/dL is considered low
• For women: Below 12 g/dL is considered low if not pregnant

These thresholds may change depending on certain conditions and can also vary based on the laboratory’s reference range. Hemoglobin levels in children, especially infants under 6 months, may also differ.

Causes of Low Hemoglobin (Anemia)

Low Hgb, also known as anemia, can have various causes, including:

• Lack of iron, folate, or vitamin B-12 in the diet, making it harder for the bone marrow to produce Hgb
• Severe blood loss after surgery or a major injury
• Internal bleeding from conditions like stomach ulcers, stomach or colon cancer, or internal injuries
• Genetic conditions like sickle cell anemia that cause abnormal red blood cell shape and reduced Hgb capacity
• Hypothyroidism, which can lead to a deficiency in red blood cell production
• Enlarged spleen (splenomegaly) from infection, liver conditions, or cancer
• Bone marrow conditions like leukemia that prevent adequate red blood cell production
• Chronic kidney disease, which can result in a deficiency of the hormone erythropoietin that stimulates red blood cell production

Other causes of low Hgb include donating blood too often and heavy menstrual bleeding.

Causes of High Hemoglobin

Abnormally high Hgb levels, known as polycythemia, can also occur due to various reasons, including:

• Dehydration, which can concentrate the number of red blood cells in the blood
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or other lung conditions that reduce oxygen levels in the blood
• Congenital heart disease that reduces oxygen levels in the blood
• Certain types of kidney cancer or other cancers that overproduce erythropoietin, leading to excess red blood cell production
• Living at high altitudes, where the body adapts by producing more red blood cells to compensate for lower oxygen levels

Symptoms of Abnormal Hemoglobin Levels

Symptoms of both low and high Hgb levels can include:

• Fatigue and exhaustion
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Shortness of breath
• Abnormal or rapid heartbeat
• Chest pain
• Cold or swollen hands and feet
• Headaches
• Difficulty with physical activity

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to consult your healthcare provider for appropriate testing and diagnosis.

The Hemoglobin Test

The Hgb test is a common blood test that measures the amount of hemoglobin in your red blood cells. It is often performed as part of a complete blood count (CBC) test, which also analyzes other blood components like white blood cells and platelets.

To conduct the Hgb test, a healthcare professional will draw a small sample of blood, usually from a vein in your arm or by pricking your finger. The sample is then sent to a lab for analysis.

You typically don’t need to fast for the Hgb test specifically, but if your doctor plans to test the chemistry of your blood, you may need to avoid food and liquids with calories for about 12 hours prior to the test.

Understanding Test Results

Interpreting your Hgb test results is important to identify any underlying health conditions. While the typical ranges may vary, generally:

• Low Hgb (anemia) is indicated by levels below 13 g/dL for men and 12 g/dL for non-pregnant women.
• High Hgb (polycythemia) is indicated by levels above the normal range, which can vary depending on factors like age, sex, and pregnancy status.

If your Hgb levels are abnormal, your healthcare provider will work with you to determine the underlying cause and develop an appropriate treatment plan.

What Could Cause Low or High Levels

The typical range for Hgb varies by age, sex, and whether you are pregnant. High or low results may occur with certain health conditions, including anemia, internal bleeding, and diseases affecting the heart, lungs, or kidneys.

What is the Hgb test?

The hemoglobin (Hgb) test measures how much hemoglobin your red blood cells contain.

Hgb is a protein produced by your bone marrow that’s stored in red blood cells. It helps red blood cells transport oxygen from your lungs to your body through your arteries.

It also transports carbon dioxide (CO₂) from around your body back to your lungs through your veins. Hgb is what makes red blood cells look red.

Abnormally high or low Hgb can cause symptoms like exhaustion, dizziness, or shortness of breath. Your doctor may suggest an Hgb test if you’re experiencing these symptoms. You may have an underlying condition that needs to be diagnosed.

Learn why you may need an Hgb test, what the typical ranges are for Hgb, and what can cause abnormal Hgb levels.

The Hgb test uses a sample of your blood to determine hemoglobin levels.

To take a sample, your healthcare professional extracts blood from a vein by pricking your finger or inserting a needle with an attached tube into the crease of your arm. The sample is then stored in the tube to be analyzed later at a lab.

The needle may cause brief discomfort, but the insertion usually lasts less than a minute. If you’re sensitive to getting blood drawn or the sight of blood, have someone come with you and let your provider know.

The Hgb test may be ordered as part of a complete blood count (CBC) test. A CBC test also measures other important components of your blood, such as white blood cells and platelets. Abnormal levels of any of these cells can indicate underlying conditions or blood disorders.

Here are a few other reasons your doctor may order an Hgb test:

• You have parents or other family members who have blood disorders, such as sickle cell anemia.
• You have an infection.
• You don’t have enough iron in your diet.
• You’ve lost a lot of blood after surgery or a traumatic injury.
• You’re pregnant.
• You have a medical condition that can affect your Hgb levels.

You don’t need to fast for the Hgb test specifically. You may need to fast — avoiding food or liquids with calories for about 12 hours — if your doctor plans to test the chemistry of your blood at the same time. You should drink plenty of water, however.

Your age and gender both affect your Hgb levels. Typical healthy Hgb levels are as follows:

For men, Hgb levels below 13 g/dL are considered low. For women, Hgb levels below 12 g/dL are considered low if not pregnant.

This threshold may change with certain conditions. It can also vary depending on the lab, so be sure to check your lab’s reference range. For children these levels may also vary due to age, especially in infants under 6 months old.

Low Hgb is also known as anemia, which means that you don’t have enough red blood cells in your body.

With anemia, a blood test will also show that you have a low red blood cell count and may have low hematocrit, the volume of red blood cells to other components in your blood.

Anemia can have many causes, so symptoms vary widely. Common anemia symptoms can include:

• exhaustion
• skin paleness
• shortness of breath
• abnormal or rapid heartbeat
• pain in your chest
• cold, swollen hands or feet
• headache
• trouble with physical activity

While exhaustion or fatigue isn’t a cause of low hemoglobin, it can be a symptom. A lower than normal amount of hemoglobin can result in decreased oxygen delivery to vital organs and muscles, resulting in fatigue or a lack of energy.

Low Hgb levels can be caused by any condition that affects your body’s ability to create red blood cells or conditions that lower red blood cells in your bloodstream.

Possible causes of low Hgb include:

• lack of iron in your diet, which makes it harder for your bone marrow to produce Hgb
• lack of folate or vitamin B-12, which can lead to your body producing fewer red blood cells than are needed
• severe blood loss after surgery or a major injury
• internal bleeding from stomach ulcers, stomach or colon cancer, or internal injuries
• sickle cell anemia, a genetic condition that causes red blood cells to be abnormally sickle-shaped and able to carry less Hgb
• hypothyroidism, which means that the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormones
• splenomegaly, or an enlarged spleen from infection, liver conditions, or cancer
• bone marrow conditions, such as leukemia, that prevent your bone marrow from producing enough red blood cells
• chronic kidney disease, in which your kidneys don’t function properly (resulting in a deficiency of erythropoietin, a hormone that stimulates red blood cell production in your bone marrow)

Other causes can include:

• donating blood too often
• heavy bleeding during your period
• alcohol misuse
• chronic health problems such as autoimmune diseases or cancer

High Hgb is known as polycythemia. This means you have too many red blood cells.

Polycythemia vera is a cancer of the blood in which your bone marrow overproduces red blood cells.

With polycythemia, a blood test also shows that you have a high red blood cell count and high hematocrit.

Common symptoms of high Hgb levels include:

• itchiness
• headache
• dizziness
• getting easily bruised or bleeding
• sweating more than usual
• painful joint swelling
• abnormal weight loss
• a yellow tint to the eyes and skin (jaundice)
• feeling exhausted
• a purple or reddish tint to the skin

High Hgb may result from your body needing to store more Hgb in red blood cells due to your environment, a condition that affects your heart or lung function, or lifestyle choices.

Possible causes of high Hgb levels include:

• living at high altitudes where there’s not as much oxygen in the air, such as in the mountains
• smoking tobacco products, including cigarettes or cigars
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a condition that inflames the lungs and blocks air from getting into your lungs
• heart or lung diseases that affect your ability to breathe, your lungs’ ability to pass oxygen into your bloodstream, or your heart’s ability to pump normally
• taking erythropoietin unnecessarily, such as to enhance high-level physical performance

Other causes include:

• being severely dehydrated
• heart failure
• cancer of the liver or kidneys

Your doctor may recommend a Hgb test if you have symptoms of abnormal Hgb levels or if you’re pregnant.

The earlier you notice the symptoms of abnormal Hgb levels and have the cause diagnosed, the more likely you are to have successful treatment.

See your doctor if you’re experiencing any symptoms of high or low Hgb. If you have a family history of blood disorders or conditions that can affect bone marrow or red blood cell production, you’ll likely need regular Hgb tests along with a CBC to monitor how these health problems may be affecting your blood cells.

What Could Cause Low or High Levels

The typical range for Hgb varies by age, sex, and whether you are pregnant. High or low results may occur with certain health conditions, including anemia, internal bleeding, and diseases affecting the heart, lungs, or kidneys.

What is the Hgb test?

The hemoglobin (Hgb) test measures how much hemoglobin your red blood cells contain.

Hgb is a protein produced by your bone marrow that’s stored in red blood cells. It helps red blood cells transport oxygen from your lungs to your body through your arteries.

It also transports carbon dioxide (CO₂) from around your body back to your lungs through your veins. Hgb is what makes red blood cells look red.

Abnormally high or low Hgb can cause symptoms like exhaustion, dizziness, or shortness of breath. Your doctor may suggest an Hgb test if you’re experiencing these symptoms. You may have an underlying condition that needs to be diagnosed.

Learn why you may need an Hgb test, what the typical ranges are for Hgb, and what can cause abnormal Hgb levels.

The Hgb test uses a sample of your blood to determine hemoglobin levels.

To take a sample, your healthcare professional extracts blood from a vein by pricking your finger or inserting a needle with an attached tube into the crease of your arm. The sample is then stored in the tube to be analyzed later at a lab.

The needle may cause brief discomfort, but the insertion usually lasts less than a minute. If you’re sensitive to getting blood drawn or the sight of blood, have someone come with you and let your provider know.

The Hgb test may be ordered as part of a complete blood count (CBC) test. A CBC test also measures other important components of your blood, such as white blood cells and platelets. Abnormal levels of any of these cells can indicate underlying conditions or blood disorders.

Here are a few other reasons your doctor may order an Hgb test:

• You have parents or other family members who have blood disorders, such as sickle cell anemia.
• You have an infection.
• You don’t have enough iron in your diet.
• You’ve lost a lot of blood after surgery or a traumatic injury.
• You’re pregnant.
• You have a medical condition that can affect your Hgb levels.

You don’t need to fast for the Hgb test specifically. You may need to fast — avoiding food or liquids with calories for about 12 hours — if your doctor plans to test the chemistry of your blood at the same time. You should drink plenty of water, however.

Your age and gender both affect your Hgb levels. Typical healthy Hgb levels are as follows:

For men, Hgb levels below 13 g/dL are considered low. For women, Hgb levels below 12 g/dL are considered low if not pregnant.

This threshold may change with certain conditions. It can also vary depending on the lab, so be sure to check your lab’s reference range. For children these levels may also vary due to age, especially in infants under 6 months old.

Low Hgb is also known as anemia, which means that you don’t have enough red blood cells in your body.

With anemia, a blood test will also show that you have a low red blood cell count and may have low hematocrit, the volume of red blood cells to other components in your blood.

Anemia can have many causes, so symptoms vary widely. Common anemia symptoms can include:

• exhaustion
• skin paleness
• shortness of breath
• abnormal or rapid heartbeat
• pain in your chest
• cold, swollen hands or feet
• headache
• trouble with physical activity

While exhaustion or fatigue isn’t a cause of low hemoglobin, it can be a symptom. A lower than normal amount of hemoglobin can result in decreased oxygen delivery to vital organs and muscles, resulting in fatigue or a lack of energy.

Low Hgb levels can be caused by any condition that affects your body’s ability to create red blood cells or conditions that lower red blood cells in your bloodstream.

Possible causes of low Hgb include:

• lack of iron in your diet, which makes it harder for your bone marrow to produce Hgb
• lack of folate or vitamin B-12, which can lead to your body producing fewer red blood cells than are needed
• severe blood loss after surgery or a major injury
• internal bleeding from stomach ulcers, stomach or colon cancer, or internal injuries
• sickle cell anemia, a genetic condition that causes red blood cells to be abnormally sickle-shaped and able to carry less Hgb
• hypothyroidism, which means that the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormones
• splenomegaly, or an enlarged spleen from infection, liver conditions, or cancer
• bone marrow conditions, such as leukemia, that prevent your bone marrow from producing enough red blood cells
• chronic kidney disease, in which your kidneys don’t function properly (resulting in a deficiency of erythropoietin, a hormone that stimulates red blood cell production in your bone marrow)

Other causes can include:

• donating blood too often
• heavy bleeding during your period
• alcohol misuse
• chronic health problems such as autoimmune diseases or cancer

High Hgb is known as polycythemia. This means you have too many red blood cells.

Polycythemia vera is a cancer of the blood in which your bone marrow overproduces red blood cells.

With polycythemia, a blood test also shows that you have a high red blood cell count and high hematocrit.

Common symptoms of high Hgb levels include:

• itchiness
• headache
• dizziness
• getting easily bruised or bleeding
• sweating more than usual
• painful joint swelling
• abnormal weight loss
• a yellow tint to the eyes and skin (jaundice)
• feeling exhausted
• a purple or reddish tint to the skin

High Hgb may result from your body needing to store more Hgb in red blood cells due to your environment, a condition that affects your heart or lung function, or lifestyle choices.

Possible causes of high Hgb levels include:

• living at high altitudes where there’s not as much oxygen in the air, such as in the mountains
• smoking tobacco products, including cigarettes or cigars
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a condition that inflames the lungs and blocks air from getting into your lungs
• heart or lung diseases that affect your ability to breathe, your lungs’ ability to pass oxygen into your bloodstream, or your heart’s ability to pump normally
• taking erythropoietin unnecessarily, such as to enhance high-level physical performance

Other causes include:

• being severely dehydrated
• heart failure
• cancer of the liver or kidneys

Your doctor may recommend a Hgb test if you have symptoms of abnormal Hgb levels or if you’re pregnant.

The earlier you notice the symptoms of abnormal Hgb levels and have the cause diagnosed, the more likely you are to have successful treatment.

See your doctor if you’re experiencing any symptoms of high or low Hgb. If you have a family history of blood disorders or conditions that can affect bone marrow or red blood cell production, you’ll likely need regular Hgb tests along with a CBC to monitor how these health problems may be affecting your blood cells.

Therapist told why elevated hemoglobin is dangerous – Moscow 24, 08/11/2022

August 11, 2022, 09:00

Society

Increased hemoglobin in the blood is an occasion to think about your health. Its level can rise if a person has various diseases. In particular, such a situation can cause the development of dangerous conditions in the body. We tell you what to do with a high level of hemoglobin.

Sign of pathology

Photo: Moscow 24/Anton Velikzhanin

Hemoglobin is a complex protein that is produced in red blood cells – erythrocytes. In some cases, its high level is a sign of dangerous diseases of the cardiovascular system. Therapist Irina Eskova told Moscow 24 about this.

“Usually, patients worry only when their hemoglobin is low. However, high levels should alert no less. They can warn of the presence of heart defects and the development of diseases such as angina pectoris, heart attack, hypertension, cardiomyopathy,” the doctor warned.

If, in addition, a person feels constant itching, especially after a shower, this may indicate the development of polycythemia vera, a benign tumor process of the blood system.

Increased hemoglobin is an accompanying symptom of cancer of the liver, kidneys and other organs. Also, people can develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes mellitus, hyper- and hypothyroidism (excess or lack of thyroid hormones), HIV, liver and bone marrow diseases.

Irina Eskova

therapist

Normal hemoglobin levels should be 130–170 grams per liter for men and 120–150 grams per liter for women. In girls, it is lower due to the low level of the hormone testosterone and the monthly cycle.

An alarming signal is an increase in hemoglobin in men – more than 170 grams per liter, and in women – more than 150 grams per liter. If the protein content is 180-190 grams per liter, then we are already talking about a serious violation and you should immediately consult a doctor.

Dangerous condition

Photo: Portal of the Mayor and Government of Moscow/Evgeny Samarin

Hemoglobin does not always increase due to the presence of some pathologies. Its level may vary depending on age, health status, habits and lifestyle.

Slight growth occurs in older people. Another deviation from the norm can occur with insufficient water intake and as a result of dehydration with burns, diarrhea and vomiting.

Lack of oxygen in the air causes increased hemoglobin in highlanders and people working in aviation – pilots, stewardesses. For those who work in factories with a lot of dust, it may increase due to impaired gas exchange in the lungs.

Irina Eskova

therapist

In addition, the level of hemoglobin increases during exercise due to increased oxygen consumption by the body. The levels of the hormone also increase with smoking because tobacco smoke acts like carbon monoxide and attaches to hemoglobin instead of oxygen, which decreases.

Even an increase in hemoglobin itself can cause complications in the body. The fact is that it is a very important iron-containing protein that carries oxygen to the organs.

High levels of hemoglobin cause the blood to become thicker, so it moves more slowly and delivers less oxygen to the cells. If nothing is done, the situation can lead to the formation of blood clots in the vessels and other dangerous consequences.

Irina Eskova

therapist

One of the signs of increased hemoglobin is decreased performance, memory and vision impairment, drowsiness and irritability, as well as cold and bluish fingertips on hands and feet.

What to do?

Photo: Moscow 24/Anton Velikzhanin

In case of a significant excess of normal hemoglobin levels in the blood, it is necessary to consult a doctor in order to undergo a diagnosis and exclude the presence of dangerous diseases.

If this is not associated with the development of pathologies, it is recommended to drink more water. For dehydration, rehydration solutions are also used. They contain salts that help retain fluid in the body. In severe cases, patients are given droppers.

For those who smoke, it is recommended to stop smoking to normalize the level of hemoglobin. In addition, you should avoid foods rich in iron – red meat, offal, apples, blackcurrants and eggs, as well as exclude fatty foods from the diet and refuse alcoholic beverages.

The menu should consist of legumes, low-fat kefir, turkey, diet fish, fresh or steamed vegetables.

Troshina Lyubov

society

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Increased hemoglobin in women

10. 09.2022

hemoglobin (iron) level in blood . It is one of the most important, because on its basis you can determine the problem. Most often, patients experience a decrease in iron levels, but there are exceptions. Some people have too high hemoglobin and this is not good either. What could this symptom indicate?

First of all, you need to find out what the norm should be for a healthy woman. Do not panic if the level of iron rises to 150-160 g / l. The norm is from 120 to 150 g / l. For the most accurate diagnosis doctor may prescribe a second analysis for the level of iron in blood .

Increased hemoglobin in women: what does it mean?

Especially often this symptom is observed in the fair sex, in men it is diagnosed much less frequently. Do not ignore the problem, as it may indicate serious illness.

What threatens an elevated hemoglobin level?

For this reason, blood becomes thicker , which makes it difficult for it to pass through vessels . As a result, blood clots begin to form, oxygen metabolism slows down. What does increased hemoglobin in blood mean in women? There are several reasons and in order to establish the exact one, you cannot do without the help of doctor .

• Pregnancy – during this period in the female body there are serious changes, so the level of iron can rise to 150-160.
• Taking a multivitamin complex. Perhaps the complex you are taking contains a lot of iron? Do not sound the alarm in this case, over time, the hemoglobin level should stabilize.
• Oncology
• Diseases lungs
• Problems in the cardiovascular system
• Heart disease
• Intestinal obstruction
• The hormonal system is malfunctioning
• Dehydration (drinking small amounts of fluid)
• Psychological problems – stress, depression
• Bone marrow dysfunction
• Genetics
• Diabetes mellitus 9012 0
• Smoking

There are many reasons for the increase in iron levels, and in order to understand what problem and how to fix it, contact a specialist.

Symptoms of elevated hemoglobin

Women with high blood iron levels , as a rule, experience problems with sleep, a general deterioration in well-being. Also menstruation becomes longer and heavier. A woman constantly wants to sleep, activity decreases, bruises or redness appear on the skin. If at least one symptom bothers you for a long time, contact your doctor .

When is high hemoglobin normal?

For some categories of people, a high iron content is normal. This applies to those who live in regions that are characterized by low oxygen content, as well as those who have a flying profession. Often high hemoglobin is diagnosed in those who are professionally involved in sports.

Increased hemoglobin in women: what does it mean and what to do?

After receiving the results of tests , the doctor may order more tests for you to identify a specific cause.