Hemoglobin is a iron rich protein found in red blood cells. It is thanks to her that the blood acquires its color. It serves to transport oxygen to the organs and tissues of the body, as well as to transport carbon dioxide from the organs and tissues to the lungs. The hemoglobin values They can be known through a blood test, known as a hemogram, where the levels of all components of the blood are measured.
The function of hemoglobin is very important for the body to receive the oxygen it needs, so its values must remain stable. The lack of this protein is related to a lack of iron and could lead to iron deficiency anemia. On the other hand, high levels of hemoglobin increase the viscosity of the blood and could indicate a deficiency in the body’s oxygen reception.
On this occasion, in a HOWTO, we will tell you what are the normal values of hemoglobin in the blood, the causes behind high hemoglobin or low hemoglobin and the recommendations you should follow to keep your health in optimal condition.
What is hemoglobin
Hemoglobin (Hb) is a protein created in the bone marrow, where it grows as cells that become red blood cells or erythrocytes. The volume of hemoglobin within each red blood cell is measured through mean corpuscular hemoglobin (HCM), and its normal value is between 26.3 and 33.8 picograms per cell (pg / cell).
The body uses iron to build hemoglobin and this for its part has the function of carrying oxygen and carbon dioxide to the body’s tissues. Every time a red blood cell dies, the hemoglobin is broken down, the iron is stored, and proteins called transferrin transfer it once more to the bone marrow to be used to create new red blood cells. The rest of the hemoglobin is used as a base to create bilirubin.
Altered hemoglobin levels mean that the body is not accessing the amount of oxygen what do you need. There are multiple reasons why hemoglobin values in the body can change, some more or less serious. However, being such an essential substance for the body, it is essential go to the doctor to discover the reason and choose the right treatment to stabilize it.
Hemoglobin: normal values
Through a blood test, total hemoglobin (= HbE) or only that contained in the red blood cells or erythrocytes (= HCM). If tests show a low value for both, the patient may be anemic.
The normal value of hemoglobin often depends on good nutrition and regular exercise, but they are not the only triggers for unevenness. There may be iron deficiencies or underlying diseases that explain the irregularity. If you suspect that your values are below or above normal, here you can look at the standard that they use in most of the tests. However, keep in mind that these numbers may vary slightly depending on the lab.
Hemoglobin in men
Normal hemoglobin values vary depending on the sex of the person. Men and women tend to register different values. In this way, in adult men, a normal hemoglobin is located between 13.8 or 14 and 17.2 g / dL.
Hemoglobin in women
In women, on the other hand, the normal hemoglobin level may be lower. The standard is between 12.1 and 15.1 g / dL.
In the case of pregnant women, the results should be in 11.0 g / dL or above.
Hemoglobin in children
For children, it is very important to have good hemoglobin levels so that oxygenation helps development and growth. The normal values of hemoglobin in children, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), are:
- Children 6 months to 4 years of age: 11g / dL or higher.
- Children 5 to 11 years of age: 11.5 g / dL or higher.
- Children 12-14 years of age: 12 g / dL or higher.
External conditions such as smoking or altitude above sea level can cause changes in hemoglobin levels, as the blood will compensate in situations where it is more difficult to access oxygen. In these cases, doctors will adjust normal hemoglobin levels for each patient, taking into account the circumstances.
Hemoglobin at 8: is it dangerous?
In most cases, hemoglobin values below 8 g / dL represent a severe anemia. With such low hemoglobin concentrations, doctors will seriously consider performing red blood cell transfusions to counteract the condition.
It is important to note that the milder levels of anemia have, in any case, consequences for the body, since the red blood cells are already functioning with a considerable iron deficiency. For this reason, it is necessary to seek medical treatment immediately and return to a normal hemoglobin level.
Low hemoglobin: what it is and causes
There are various causes why the body suffers from low hemoglobin, impairing the proper functioning of the body. The most common of these is iron deficiency, mineral of which hemoglobin is composed. This is also one of the main causes behind a type of anemia called iron deficiency anemia.
Anemia is a disease characterized by a decrease in the number or size of red blood cells in the blood. Low hemoglobin values in a blood test can be a sign that the patient suffers from anemia.
The good news is that this type of anemia is easy to treat. With dietary changes and iron supplements, patients can recover from the disease. If you want to know more about it, go to our article How to cure iron deficiency anemia.
Causes of low hemoglobin
- Due to vitamin B12 deficiency: Other chemicals necessary for the creation of red blood cells and hemoglobin are vitamin B12 and folic acid. A failure in the absorption of vitamin B12 or a diet deficient in vegetables or foods that contain these substances can cause this type of anemia. Pregnancy, alcohol consumption, and some intestinal diseases can also serve as a cause.
- For blood loss: In certain cases, low hemoglobin is caused by blood loss. This can happen slowly over a long period of time without the patient detecting it. Gastrointestinal conditions such as ulcers, hemorrhoids, gastritis or cancer can be behind this blood loss. Also, the use of anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin or ibuprofen can cause ulcers and gastritis. For its part, menstruationEspecially when bleeding is excessive, it can also be one of the reasons why the body loses more blood than it can handle.
- For hereditary diseasesSome forms of anemia are inherited, so children can be affected from birth. Such is the case of the sickle cell anemia[1], a disease in which erythrocytes or red blood cells have an abnormal protein. Currently, a blood and bone marrow transplant is the only cure for the condition.
- For bone marrow diseases: In other cases, the hemoglobin deficiency is due to the bone marrow not producing enough cells to create red blood cells. It can be the consequence of an injury to the spinal cord, or it can be the product of autoimmune diseases in which it is the immune system that attacks the cells while they are being formed. This type of anemia is known as aplastic anemia.
Consequences of low hemoglobin
Hemoglobin deficiency in the blood can cause serious complications in patients. In children, long-term untreated anemia can cause growth and development problems cognitive, social and psychomotor. In older people, anemia is a potential risk factor for dementia.
On the other hand, anemia can cause intense tiredness, preventing people from carrying out their daily activities. It can also cause Heart problemsas the heart must pump blood harder to compensate for the lack of oxygen. This can lead to conditions such as an enlarged heart or heart failure. Untreated severe anemia can also lead to death.
In our How to Raise Hemoglobin article, we further explain what you can do to increase low hemoglobin.
High hemoglobin: what it is and causes
In contrast to anemia, high hemoglobin It is a condition that is usually less serious, but that must be treated and studied equally. This condition is called polycythemia. People who smoke or live in high altitude places are at higher risk for high hemoglobin.
In general, high hemoglobin occurs when the body experiences a deficiency in the transport of oxygen to the body, which is why it begins to produce excess hemoglobin. This causes the viscosity and density of the blood to increase, causing an increased risk of creating blood clots. In this way, too high a hemoglobin can lead to strokes, kidney or …