We also examine the main kinds of anemia in more detail and explore ways to prevent the condition. Each hemoglobin protein can carry four molecules of oxygen, which are delivered throughout the body by red blood cells. Hemoglobin also plays a role in helping red blood cells obtain their disc-like shape, which helps them move easily through blood vessels. Hemoglobin levels are measured by a blood test. A low level of hemoglobin in the blood relates directly to a low level of oxygen.
In the United States, anemia is diagnosed if a blood test finds less than In children, normal levels vary according to age. High hemoglobin levels could be indicative of the rare blood disease, polycythemia. It causes the body to make too many red blood cells, causing the blood to be thicker than usual.
This can lead to clots, heart attacks , and strokes. It is a serious lifelong condition that can be fatal if it is not treated. High hemoglobin can also be caused by dehydration , smoking, or living at high altitudes, or it can be linked to other conditions, such as lung or heart disease. Low hemoglobin levels usually indicate that a person has anemia. There are several kinds of anemia:. Newborns have a temporary anemia when they are weeks old.
This occurs when they run out of the red blood cells they are born with but their bodies have not made new red blood cells. This condition will not affect the baby adversely unless they are sick for some other reason.
Babies can also have anemia from breaking down cells too quickly, which results in yellowing skin, a condition known as jaundice. The threshold for a high hemoglobin count differs slightly from one medical practice to another. It's generally defined as more than In children, the definition of a high hemoglobin count varies with age and sex. Hemoglobin count may also vary due to time of day, how well-hydrated you are and altitude. A high hemoglobin count occurs most commonly when your body requires an increased oxygen-carrying capacity, usually because:.
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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. Polycythemia vera is a cancer of the blood in which your bone marrow overproduces red blood cells.
With polycythemia, a blood test also shows that you have a high red blood cell count and high hematocrit. High Hgb may result from your body needing to store more Hgb in red blood cells due to your environment, a condition that affects your heart or lung function, or lifestyle choices. The earlier you notice the symptoms of abnormal Hgb levels and have the cause diagnosed, the more likely you are to have successful treatment.
Hemoglobin is a protein in your red blood cells that carries oxygen to the rest of your body. It also transports carbon dioxide out of your cells and….
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