Value too low or too high – what does that mean?

Hemoglobin is an important component of blood. It transports oxygen to the body cells. If the hemoglobin level is too low or too high, something is wrong. What can be behind it?

Hemoglobin, abbreviated Hb, is an iron-rich protein in the red blood cells (erythrocytes). It gives the blood its red color and is therefore also known as the red blood pigment.

Hemoglobin’s main job is to carry oxygen from the air we breathe through the bloodstream to cells throughout the body and carry carbon dioxide back to the lungs. Find out when the hemoglobin value is determined during medical examinations and what it reveals.

What does the hemoglobin value say?

Hemoglobin is important for the body’s oxygen supply: if its concentration in the blood falls, it deteriorates. Therefore, it is standard for every blood test to determine the hemoglobin value. In addition, the value is always checked when there is suspicion of a iron deficiency or anemia (anemia) or an increased number of red blood cells (polycythemia).

How tall is it Hb level in adults?

The hemoglobin concentration in the blood is determined in whole blood. This usually happens when the doctor orders a blood count to take several blood values to be determined at the same time. In laboratory results, the hemoglobin value can be found after the abbreviation “Hb”.

As with all laboratory values, the values ​​for hemoglobin also show natural fluctuations. Normal values ​​or reference ranges apply

• in men, Hb levels between 14 and 18 grams per deciliter (g/dl) or between 8.7 and 11.2 millimoles per liter (mmol/l) and
• in women Hb values ​​between 12 and 16 grams per deciliter (g / dl) resp. between 7.5 and 10 millimoles per liter (mmol / l).

It is important to know that the reference ranges are given differently depending on the laboratory and analysis method.

Which does ______________ mean Hemoglobin too low?

Hemoglobin is considered low if it is less than 14 grams per deciliter in men and 12 grams per deciliter in women. In this case, experts speak of anemia. This can have various causes:

• Disruption of the formation of erythrocytes (often with iron deficiency, but also with vitamin B₁₂– and folic acid deficiency as well as a deficiency of the kidney hormone erythropoietin)
• Blood loss (e.g. from intestinal bleeding or injuries)
• increased blood breakdown (e.g Malaria or congenital hemoglobin disorders such as sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, or globule cell anemia)

What to do if the hemoglobin is too low?

If the hemoglobin level is too low, the doctor will arrange for further blood tests. Low Hb levels usually have a harmless cause. If there is a deficiency behind the reduced value, it is often sufficient to compensate for this by taking an iron, vitamin B₁₂– or to fix folic acid supplements. In severe cases, a blood transfusion may also be necessary.

Which Hb value is critical?

In healthy people, a hemoglobin level below 5 grams per deciliter is considered critical. In older people without heart disease and especially in those with risk factors for the coronary heart disease the Hb value should not fall below 7 to 8 grams per deciliter.

Severe anemia can compromise the supply of oxygen to the body’s tissues. The heart is particularly susceptible to a lack of oxygen. It is therefore important to pay attention to the Hb value, especially in people with heart disease.

Which does ______________ mean Hemoglobin too high?

Hemoglobin is high when it is over 18 grams per deciliter in men and over 16 grams per deciliter in women. Hemoglobin levels that are too high are usually caused by a lack of oxygen and can have several causes. The main reasons are:

• strong smoking
• longer stays at altitude
• heart or lung disease
• certain kidney tumors
• some forms of blood cancer (leukemia)

How dangerous is hemoglobin in stool?

Hemoglobin in stool can be dangerous, but it doesn’t have to be. As part of the Colorectal Cancer Prevention non-visible blood is detected in the stool. The tests show reactions to the blood pigment hemoglobin. If the result is positive, this can indicate bleeding from precancerous lesions such as Darmpolypen or indicate adenomas.

However, previous tests did not provide any conclusions about the source of the bleeding. The immunological tests commonly used today only react to human hemoglobin and are therefore considered to be more reliable.

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