Hemoglobin is a protein that is part of red blood cells. The hemoglobin level is the basic parameter that is used to diagnose anemia. What are the hemoglobin standards for women, pregnant women, and men? Do you know what are the hemoglobin norms for children? How should the hemoglobin level be interpreted?

What is hemoglobin?

Hemoglobin(hb, HGB) is a protein that inerythrocytesis responsible for the transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide to and from the cells of our body.

How does it work? Hemoglobin, having the ability to attach oxygen molecules, takes it up in the lungs and, as it travels with the blood, gives it back to the cells in need. In addition, it removes carbon dioxide from them, disposing of it when it returns to the lungs.

It is hemoglobin that gives our blood the red color.Hemoglobin normsvary by age and gender.

When interpreting the hemoglobin test result , please note that due to different test methods, the threshold value may differ between laboratories and depends on the test method used.

If we need to repeat the test, it's best to use the same laboratory. Besides, you should also take into account:

  • gender,
  • age,
  • race of the patient,
  • other morphology parameters such as. e.g. erythrocytes (RBC), other parameters of red blood cells - MCV, MCH, MCHC, reticulocytes or hematocrit.

The hemoglobin level is determined during the basic blood test, which ismorphology .

Hemoglobin: norms

  • hemoglobin norm for women : 11.5-15.5 g / dl
  • hemoglobin norm for pregnant women : 11.5-13.5 g / dl; in pregnancy, a low HGB value is usually nothing to worry about
  • hemoglobin norm for men : 14-18 g / dl
  • nhemoglobin orms for children :
    • 20 g / dl in newborns
    • 10 g / dl in 3-month-old babies
    • 11.5-11.8 g / dl between four and twelve months of age
    • 13 g / dl after twelve months of age

The correct amount of hemoglobin in a childis the lowest around the third month of life, when the child's body runs out of the fetal supply and the bone marrowis not producing enough quantity yet.

What does high hemoglobin mean?

Abnormal hemoglobin may indicate:

  • dehydration, which may be the result of e.g. :
    • diarrhea
    • vomiting
    • poty
  • primary hyperchemia, e.g. :
    • polycythemia real
  • secondary hyperemia, resulting from he alth problems such as :
    • chronic lung diseases
    • congenital heart defects
    • acquired heart defects
    • kidney cancer
  • hypoxia (e.g. while staying in the higher parts of the mountains).

What does low hemoglobin mean?

  • hemoglobin values ​​below the recommended normal range may be due to anemia and hyperhydration.

If the gene coding for hemoglobin mutates, the result may behemoglobinopathies- rare diseases such as :

  • sickle cell anemia
  • thalassemia

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