Hemoglabin

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 normal range for hemoglobin is:

For men, 13.5 to 17.5 grams per deciliter

For women, 12.0 to 15.5 grams per deciliter
Normal ranges for children vary with age and sex. The range for a normal hemoglobin level may differ 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.