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Overview

A hemoglobin test measures the amount of hemoglobin in your blood. Hemoglobin is a protein in your red blood cells that carries oxygen to your body's organs and tissues and transports carbon dioxide from your organs and tissues back to your lungs.

If a hemoglobin test reveals that your hemoglobin level is lower than normal, it means you have a low red blood cell count (anemia). Anemia can have many different causes, including vitamin deficiencies, bleeding and chronic diseases.

If a hemoglobin test shows a higher than normal level, there are several potential causes — the blood disorder polycythemia vera, living at a high altitude, smoking and dehydration.

Why it's done

You may have a hemoglobin test for several reasons:

  • To check your overall health. Your doctor may test your hemoglobin as part of a complete blood count during a routine medical examination to monitor your general health and to screen for a variety of disorders, such as anemia.
  • To diagnose a medical condition. Your doctor may suggest a hemoglobin test if you're experiencing weakness, fatigue, shortness of breath or dizziness. These signs and symptoms may point to anemia or polycythemia vera. A hemoglobin test may help diagnose these or other medical conditions.
  • To monitor a medical condition. If you've been diagnosed with anemia or polycythemia vera, your doctor may use a hemoglobin test to monitor your condition and guide treatment.

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How you prepare

If your blood sample is being tested only for hemoglobin, you can eat and drink normally before the test. If your blood sample will be used for other tests, you may need to fast for a certain amount of time before the sample is taken. Your doctor will give you specific instructions.

What you can expect

For a hemoglobin test, a member of your health care team takes a sample of blood by pricking your fingertip or inserting a needle into a vein in your arm. For infants, the sample may be obtained by pricking the heel.

The blood sample is sent to a lab for analysis. You can return to your usual activities immediately after the sample is taken.

Results

The healthy range for hemoglobin is:

  • For men, 13.2 to 16.6 grams per deciliter
  • For women, 11.6 to 15 grams per deciliter

Healthy ranges for children vary with age and sex. The range for a healthy hemoglobin level may differ slightly from one medical practice to another.

Lower than normal results

If your hemoglobin level is lower than normal, you have anemia. There are many forms of anemia, each with different causes, which can include:

  • Iron deficiency
  • Vitamin B-12 deficiency
  • Folate deficiency
  • Bleeding
  • Cancers that affect the bone marrow, such as leukemia
  • Kidney disease
  • Liver disease
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Thalassemia — a genetic disorder that causes low levels of hemoglobin and red blood cells

If you've been previously diagnosed with anemia, a hemoglobin level that's lower than normal may indicate a need to alter your treatment plan.

Higher than normal results

If your hemoglobin level is higher than normal, it may be the result of:

  • Polycythemia vera — a blood disorder in which your bone marrow makes too many red blood cells
  • Lung disease
  • Dehydration
  • Living at a high altitude
  • Heavy smoking
  • Burns
  • Excessive vomiting
  • Extreme physical exercise

If you've been previously diagnosed with polycythemia vera, an elevated hemoglobin level may indicate a need to alter your treatment plan.

If your hemoglobin level is below or above normal, your doctor may want to evaluate the hemoglobin test results along with those of other tests, or additional tests may be necessary, to determine next steps.

For specifics about what your hemoglobin test results mean, talk to your doctor.

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Which of the following is the consequence of increased hemoglobin in the blood?

High hemoglobin levels In polycythemia, the body makes too many red blood cells, causing the blood to be thicker than usual. This can lead to clots, heart attacks, and stroke.

Which of the following would result in a higher than normal hemoglobin content?

Higher than normal results If your hemoglobin level is higher than normal, it may be the result of: Polycythemia vera — a blood disorder in which your bone marrow makes too many red blood cells. Lung disease. Dehydration.

What to do if hemoglobin is not increasing?

Normal cell numbers with low cellular hemoglobin means you may not have enough iron, vitamin B12, or folate, all of which are necessary for your bone marrow to make RBCs. Low iron levels can also be from blood loss, for example from monthly periods. Replacing these nutrients usually fixes the anemia easily.

What causes low hemoglobin levels?

Not getting enough iron in your diet is the most common cause of low hemoglobin. Symptoms of low hemoglobin include headaches, fatigue, and pale skin. Treatments for low hemoglobin include iron supplements, iron therapy, and surgery. Adding more iron-rich foods to your diet is also important.