Haemoglobin test a blood test performed to test quantity of haemoglobin in blood. Haemoglobin is a protein found in RBC, Haemoglobin carried oxygen to all body tissue.
To do this blood sample is taken and there is no special thing to do before do this test.
What is purpose of Haemoglobin Test
Haemoglobin test is very common blood test and it is part of CBC test. Here is reason/purpose to performing this test.
- Presence of chronic kidney disease or many other chronic medical problems
- Monitoring of anemia and its cause
- Monitoring during treatment for cancer
- Before and after major surgery
- During pregnancy
- Monitoring medicines that may cause anemia or low blood counts
- Symptoms such as fatigue, feelings of poor health, or unexplained weight loss
- Signs of bleeding are present
Normal Range of Haemoglobin
Normal results for adults vary, but in general are:
- Male: 13.8 to 17.2 grams per deciliter (g/dL)
Female: 12.1 to 15.1 g/dL
Normal results for children vary, but in general are: - Newborn: 14 to 24 g/dL
Infant: 9.5 to 13 g/dL
Normal range can be different in different labs and testing method. Only doctors can related results.
Reasons of abnormal range of Haemoglobin
Low haemoglobin level may be due to
- Bleeding from digestive tract or bladder, heavy menstrual periods
Chronic kidney disease - Anemia due to red blood cells being destroyed earlier than normal (haemolytic anemia)
Anemia (various types) - Bone marrow being unable to produce new blood cells. This may be due to leukaemia, other cancers, drug toxicity, radiation therapy, infection, or bone marrow disorders
Poor nutrition - Low level of iron, folate, vitamin B12, or vitamin B6
Other chronic illness, such as rheumatoid arthritis
High haemoglobin level may be due to
- High haemoglobin level is most often due to low oxygen levels in the blood (hypoxia), present over a long period of time. Common reasons include:
- Certain birth defects of the heart, present at birth (congenital heart disease)
Failure of the right side of the heart (cor pulmonale)
Severe COPD
Scarring or thickening of the lungs (pulmonary fibrosis) and other severe lung disorders