Low hemoglobin levels may be a sign of: Different types of anemia Thalassemia Iron deficiency Liver disease Cancer and other diseases High hemoglobin levels may be a sign of: Lung disease Heart disease Polycythemia vera, a disorder in which your body makes too many red blood cells.
It can cause headaches, fatigue, and shortness of breath. Is there anything else I need to know about a hemoglobin test? References Aruch D, Mascarenhas J. Contemporary approach to essential thrombocythemia and polycythemia vera. Current Opinion in Hematology [Internet]. Respiratory Function of Hemoglobin. New England Journal of Medicine [Internet]. Washington D. Hemoglobin; [updated Jan 15; cited Feb1]; [about 3 screens]. Bethesda MD : U.
Elevated Hemoglobin or Hematocrit Level. What Causes Polycythemia Vera? How is Polycythemia Vera Treated? How is Pulmonary Embolism Treated? What Causes Sickle Cell Disease? Who is at Risk for Sickle Cell Disease? How Is Anemia Diagnosed? Medical and Family Histories Your doctor may ask whether you have any of the common signs or symptoms of anemia. Physical Exam Your doctor will do a physical exam to find out how severe your anemia is and to check for possible causes.
He or she may: Listen to your heart for a rapid or irregular heartbeat Listen to your lungs for rapid or uneven breathing Feel your abdomen to check the size of your liver and spleen Your doctor also may do a pelvic or rectal exam to check for common sources of blood loss.
Diagnostic Tests and Procedures You may have various blood tests and other tests or procedures to find out what type of anemia you have and how severe it is. This test looks at the different types of hemoglobin in your blood. The test can help diagnose the type of anemia you have. A reticulocyte re-TIK-u-lo-site count.
This test measures the number of young red blood cells in your blood. The test shows whether your bone marrow is making red blood cells at the correct rate. Tests for the level of iron in your blood and body. These tests include serum iron and serum ferritin tests.
Transferrin level and total iron-binding capacity tests also measure iron levels. Brittonfield - East Syracuse, NY. Onondaga Hill - Syracuse, NY. Auburn, NY. Learn why you may need an Hgb test, what the typical ranges are for Hgb, and what can cause abnormal Hgb levels. To take a sample, your healthcare provider extracts blood from a vein by pricking your finger or inserting a needle with an attached tube into the crease of your arm.
The sample is then stored in the tube to be analyzed later at a lab. The needle may cause brief discomfort, but the insertion usually lasts less than a minute. The Hgb test may be ordered as part of a complete blood count CBC test. A CBC test also measures other important components of your blood, such as white blood cells and platelets. Abnormal levels of any of these cells can indicate underlying conditions or blood disorders. You may need to fast — avoiding food or liquids with calories for about 12 hours — if your doctor plans to test the chemistry of your blood at the same time.
You should drink plenty of water, however. This threshold may change with certain conditions. For children these levels may also vary due to age, especially in infants under 6 months old. With anemia, a blood test will also show that you have a low red blood cell count and may have low hematocrit , the volume of red blood cells to other components in your blood.
A lower than normal amount of hemoglobin can result in decreased oxygen delivery to vital organs and muscles, resulting in fatigue or a lack of energy. High Hgb is known as polycythemia. This means you have too many red blood cells. People can increase their red blood cell count with lifestyle changes…. Anemia is the most common blood disorder. The body does not have enough red blood cells and is unable to deliver enough oxygen around the body.
Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells. Oxygen entering the lungs adheres to this protein, allowing blood cells to transport oxygen throughout the….
What is an Hgb blood test? Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph. What is it? When doctors use it Results High hemoglobin Low hemoglobin Outlook Summary An Hgb blood test measures how much hemoglobin a person has in their blood.
0コメント