Hemoglobin, a constituent of red blood cells, gives the red color to blood and has the role of transporting oxygen to the cells. Why monitor your hemoglobin? What does a low rate mean? Pupil ?
hemoglobin is a protein responsible for the red color of blood. It is used to transport oxygen from the lungs to organs, muscles and tissues. Why monitor your hemoglobin level? What is the standard rate hemoglobin in the blood? At themale ? Wife ? What hemoglobin level is alarming ? What does a rate ofhemoglobin too lows? Too high ?
Definition: what is hemoglobin?
I’hemoglobin East a protein which is inside red blood cells, which are themselves produced in the bone marrow. It is responsible for the red color of blood. After the degradation of the red blood cells, part of the hemoglobin will be transformed by several reactions into bilirubina compound that gives urine its yellow color and stercobilin, which gives stool its brown color.
What is the role of hemoglobin?
Its main function is to transport oxygen from the lungs to the organs, muscles and all tissues through arterial circulation. After having delivered the oxygen to the tissues, it returns to the lungs by transporting the body’s carbon dioxide there, for example, and is again charged with oxygen in order to ensure the cellular respiration cycle.
What is the normal level of hemoglobin in the blood?
The amount of normal hemoglobin includes:
- between 13 and 18 grams per deciliter of blood in humans,
- between 12 to 16 grams in women.
What is hemoglobin A1?
“Hemoglobin exists in several forms, including hemoglobin A1 which represents 98% of the hemoglobin of a normal individual”, explains Dr Insisienmay, general practitioner.
What is hemoglobin F (fetal)?
In the fetus, there is hemoglobin F (for fetal), which persists after birth and is gradually replaced by hemoglobin A1 in the following months.
What is hemoglobin S?
Some hemoglobins, such as hemoglobin S responsible for sickle cell disease, are associated with genetic diseases called hemoglobinopathies.
What is glycated hemoglobin?
Glycated hemoglobin (or HbA1c) helps toassess blood sugar balance over the past 3 months.
Hemoglobin is measured by taking blood in the laboratory. The abbreviation Hb is commonly used to designate it. You do not need to fast for the exam.
What causes low hemoglobin?
When the hemoglobin level drops in the blood, anemia sets in. Anemia is characterized by shortness of breath on exertion, chronic fatigue and pallor. “These symptoms are explained by the rarefaction of the red pigment of the blood, and the deficit of oxygen supply to the tissues. Anemia is more or less severe depending on the hemoglobin level observed, and it will be felt all the more the sooner it takes hold. His causes can be divided into two main groups: blood loss, or production defects in the bone marrow“, continues the doctor.
Blood loss may be due to:
- acute hemorrhage, whether external or internal, or invisible but persistent bleeding, particularly in the digestive tract. A common hemorrhage seen in women is menstrual loss. In some conditions, there is no bleeding, but the red blood cells rupture inside the vessels, and the hemoglobin they release is broken down. This is called hemolysis.
- to one deficiency in iron, vitamin B12 or folic acid, necessary for the production of hemoglobin.
- to a pathology of the bone marrow,
- taking certain medications (chemotherapy in particular),
- to one kidney or liver failure severe,
- to chronic inflammation.
What causes high hemoglobin?
A high hemoglobin level can be observed in people who live at high altitudes, where oxygen is scarce, or in smokers. others less frequent pathologies cause a high hemoglobinas chronic lung disease with respiratory failure, or excessive production by the bone marrow called polycythemia vera. To note that EPO abuse (erythropoietin) by top athletes may also be the cause.
In case of severe anemia jeopardizing the health of the individual a blood transfusion may be necessary. In less urgent situations, Doctor Insisienmay specifies that “the treatment of anemia is first of all the treatment of its cause: stopping a hemorrhage, surgical treatment of a polyp or a hemorrhagic fibroma, adaptation of a medicinal treatment, contributions of EPO in the event of renal failure“. When related to a deficiency, anemia can be corrected by supplying the deficient substance:
- Vitamin B9 deficiency: Particularly recommended during pregnancy to prevent certain abnormalities in embryonic development, folic acid supplementation in the form of tablets may be prescribed, combined with foods rich in folate (dried fruits, legumes, spinach, chicory, etc.)
- Vitamin B12 deficiency: Treatment will depend on the type of deficiency. If it is Biermer’s anemia, the patient may receive intramuscular injections of vitamin B12. In other forms of deficiency, supplementation in the form of tablets can be considered.
- Iron deficiency : The patient may receive iron supplementation in the form of tablets or by intravenous infusion.
Thanks to Doctor Sonesadeth Insisienmay, general practitioner.