Hgb; Hb; Anemia – Hb; Polycythemia – Hb
Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. The hemoglobin test measures how much hemoglobin is in your blood.
How the Test is Performed
A blood sample is needed.
How to Prepare for the Test
No special preparation is necessary.
How the Test will Feel
When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain. Others feel only a prick or stinging. Afterward, there may be some throbbing or a slight bruise. This soon goes away.
Why the Test is Performed
The hemoglobin test is a common test and is almost always done as part of a complete blood count (CBC). Reasons or conditions for ordering the hemoglobin test include:
- Symptoms such as fatigue, poor health, or unexplained weight loss
- Signs of bleeding
- Before and after major surgery
- During pregnancy
- Chronic kidney disease or many other chronic medical problems
- Monitoring of anemia and its cause
- Monitoring during treatment for cancer
- Monitoring medicines that may cause anemia or low blood counts
Normal Results
Normal results for adults vary, but in general are:
- Male: 13.8 to 17.2 grams per deciliter (g/dL) or 138 to 172 grams per liter (g/L)
- Female: 12.1 to 15.1 g/dL or 121 to 151 g/L
Normal results for children vary, but in general are:
- Newborn: 14 to 24 g/dL or 140 to 240 g/L
- Infant: 9.5 to 13 g/dL or 95 to 130 g/L
The ranges above are common measurements for results of these tests. Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. Talk to your health care provider about the meaning of your specific test results.
What Abnormal Results Mean
LOWER THAN NORMAL HEMOGLOBIN
Low hemoglobin level may be due to:
- Anemia caused by red blood cells dying earlier than normal ( hemolytic anemia )
- Anemia (various types)
- Bleeding from digestive tract or bladder, heavy menstrual periods
- Chronic kidney disease
- Bone marrow being unable to produce new red blood cells. This may be due to leukemia , other cancers, drug toxicity, radiation therapy, infection, or bone marrow disorders
- Poor nutrition (including low level of iron, folate, vitamin B12, or vitamin B6)
- Low level of iron, folate , vitamin B12 , or vitamin B6
- Other chronic illness, such as rheumatoid arthritis
HIGHER THAN NORMAL HEMOGLOBIN
High hemoglobin level is most often caused by low oxygen levels in the blood (hypoxia), present over a long period of time. Common reasons include:
- Certain birth defects of the heart that are present at birth ( congenital heart disease )
- Failure of the right side of the heart ( cor pulmonale )
- Severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Scarring or thickening of the lungs ( pulmonary fibrosis ) and other severe lung disorders
Other reasons for high hemoglobin level includes:
- A rare bone marrow disease that leads to an abnormal increase in the number of blood cells ( polycythemia vera )
- The body having too little water and fluids (dehydration)
Risks
Veins and arteries vary in size from one person to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.
Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight, but may include:
- Excessive bleeding
- Fainting or feeling lightheaded
- Hematoma (blood buildup under the skin)
- Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
Serum-free hemoglobin test
Blood hemoglobin; Serum hemoglobin; Hemolytic anemia – free hemoglobin
Serum free hemoglobin is a blood test that measures the level of free hemoglobin in the liquid part of the blood (the serum). Free hemoglobin is the hemoglobin outside of the red blood cells. Most of the hemoglobin is found inside the red blood cells, not in the serum. Hemoglobin carries oxygen in the blood.
How the Test is Performed
A blood sample is needed.
How to Prepare for the Test
No preparation is necessary.
How the Test will Feel
When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain. Others feel only a prick or stinging. Afterward, there may be some throbbing or a slight bruise. This soon goes away.
Why the Test is Performed
Hemoglobin (Hb) is the main component of red blood cells. It is a protein that carries oxygen. This test is done to diagnose or monitor how severe hemolytic anemia is. This is a disorder in which a low red blood cell count is caused by the abnormal breakdown of red blood cells.
Normal Results
Plasma or serum in someone who does not have hemolytic anemia may contain up to 5 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or 0.05 grams per liter (g/L) hemoglobin.
Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or may test different samples. Talk to your health care provider about the meaning of your specific test results.
What Abnormal Results Mean
A higher-than-normal level may indicate:
- A hemolytic anemia
- Condition in which red blood cells break down when the body is exposed to certain drugs or the stress of infection ( G6PD deficiency )
- Low red blood cell count due to red blood cells breaking down sooner than normal
- Blood disorder in which red blood cells are destroyed when they go from cold to warm temperatures ( paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria )
- Sickle cell anemia
- Disorder in which there is excessive breakdown of hemoglobin ( thalassemia )
- Transfusion reaction
Risks
Veins and arteries vary in size from one person to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.
Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight, but may include:
- Excessive bleeding
- Fainting or feeling lightheaded
- Hematoma (blood buildup under the skin)
- Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
