What does a hemoglobin test measure?
You may be asked to undergo a hemoglobin test as part of overall bloodwork if your doctor suspects a medical condition or you report certain symptoms such as fatigue or heavy bleeding. What does a hemoglobin test measure, and what does it mean if your results come back as low?
Sandra Hardee, MD, explained what your physician is looking for when they order a hemoglobin test.
What does a hemoglobin test measure?
“A hemoglobin test is designed to measure the amount of a protein contained in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout your body’s organs and tissues. This protein is called hemoglobin,” said Dr. Hardee.
What is a normal result on a hemoglobin test?
“The healthy range for hemoglobin varies between men and women,” said Dr. Hardee. “For adult men, an ideal result is between 13.2 to 16.6 grams per deciliter, and with women we’re looking for 11.6 to 15 grams per deciliter.”
When it comes to children, ideal results are going to be different depending on how old they are or if the child is male or female.
What does it mean if your hemoglobin test results are low?
“Low results indicate anemia,” said Dr. Hardee. “Anemia can be caused by a whole variety of medical conditions, from vitamin deficiencies to hypothyroidism to liver disease and more.”
Low hemoglobin test results are a sign for your doctor to take a closer look at your health and what could be causing your anemia.
Is it bad to have a higher-than-normal hemoglobin result?
“Higher results can actually happen due to living at a high altitude,” said Dr. Hardee. “There are several other potential causes of high red blood cell counts, too, including smoking, a blood disorder called polycythemia vera or even dehydration. Your doctor may want to further evaluate you for additional causes of a high hemoglobin.”
Once your doctor has taken a look at your test results, you should receive a follow-up discussing what your results indicate and if you need to undergo further testing or treatment.
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