What does the Hemoglobin - Hb blood test mean? Get a free analysis of your blood test now. Here's what you get with our free analysis:
Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body. This test measures the amount of hemoglobin in your blood. It's crucial for assessing overall health, detecting anemia, and evaluating oxygen-carrying capacity. Abnormal levels can indicate various conditions, including blood disorders, nutritional deficiencies, or chronic diseases. Hemoglobin levels are also used to monitor treatment effectiveness for certain conditions and can help diagnose polycythemia, a condition where the body produces too many red blood cells.
A low hemoglobin reading indicates anemia, a condition where there aren’t enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to tissues. This can result in fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, dizziness, and pale skin. Causes may include iron deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency, chronic diseases, blood loss, or bone marrow problems. Further tests may be needed to determine the underlying cause. Treatment depends on the cause but may include dietary changes, supplements, or addressing any underlying conditions.
A high hemoglobin reading may indicate polycythemia, a condition where the body produces too many red blood cells. This can lead to blood thickening, increasing the risk of clots, strokes, and heart attacks. It may be caused by living at high altitudes, dehydration, or smoking. More serious causes include lung diseases, certain heart conditions, or polycythemia vera, a bone marrow disorder. High hemoglobin can also indicate certain kidney tumors or genetic disorders. Further testing is usually required to determine the underlying cause and appropriate treatment.