Hemoglobin is one of the most important indicators in blood tests. It allows you to recognize the presence of many diseases in the body. As hemoglobin is indicated in the analyzes, everyone should know, this will allow you to control your health. Why is this element of blood so important, what role does it play in the life of each of us?
What is blood hemoglobin?
Hemoglobin has two important components - protein (globin) and non-protein, which includes iron. In the human body, all hemoglobin is in red blood cells, beyond these limits it is not observed. Globin, forming complex compounds around iron in general, is responsible for the entire respiratory system. It delivers oxygen from the lungs to the tissues and transports carbon dioxide back. Hemoglobin regulates the acid-base balance in blood cells. To ensure normal oxidative processes with hemoglobin, oxygen is captured during breathing, after adaptation it is distributed throughout all tissues. Then, all the carbon dioxide from the cells is collected by hemoglobin and sent to the lungs for excretion from the body. How is hemoglobin indicated in the analyzes? Almost everyone knows Latin Hb or HGB, because our life largely depends on this element. Oxygen transportation processes are continuous, only 2% remains in the plasma, the rest of the hemoglobin carries blood.
Hemoglobin. As indicated in the analyzes. Norm
When compared with adults, the hemoglobin in children is significantly underestimated. No need to worry if, under the age of five, this figure will be from 110 units, this is considered normal. Then, every four years, growing up should increase this figure by 5 units. Knowing how hemoglobin in a child (Hb) is indicated in the analyzes, analyzing the results in girls and boys, we can draw certain conclusions. Up to 12 years, the value of hemoglobin does not differ on the basis of gender. After puberty between a man and a woman, there is a difference in hemoglobin readings of about 10%. After receiving the result on hand, you already have an idea of how hemoglobin is indicated in a blood test. The norm in the analyzes should be as follows: for men - 130-160 g / l, female indicators - 120-150 g / l. Watch the numbers with age, they should in no case be reduced. If you find that there are deviations from the norm in the indicators, then you need to consult a doctor and take measures to correct the level of hemoglobin in the blood.
Iron (Fe)
We figured out what letters indicate hemoglobin in the analyzes - Latin Hb. Let us now analyze what place iron occupies in the body. Metabolic processes involving Fe occur in the body continuously. Normally, this element should be contained in an amount of 3-4 g. At the same time, the body always deposits 20% in case of high needs that arise in certain cases. Blood plasma daily transfers from 30 to 36 mg of iron. Most are delivered to the red bone marrow. It is here that the red blood cells mature, which include the element iron in their composition. For women, the daily need for Fe is 18 mg, while for men it is only 10. Pregnant, lactating daily should absorb up to 30 mg. Your blood hemoglobin can help you determine if your body needs additional sources of iron.
Reduced hemoglobin
Reduced hemoglobin in the analyzes clearly indicate a deficiency in the body's iron. The level of Fe decreases and, as a result, there is a decrease in hemoglobin. What reasons can contribute to this?
- Inadequate micronutrient intake through food.
- The proper absorption of iron in the body is impaired.
- Large blood loss of the body.
Very often, iron deficiency is felt by individuals who prefer vegetarian food. Because plant foods are not rich in iron elements. The situation may be aggravated in those cases, if the body feels a lack of vitamin B12, which is contained mainly in animal products. Non-heme iron predominates in plants. And it is absorbed in 6-10%, when compared with heme, which is found in animal products. The latter is absorbed by 25%. Alimentary iron deficiency is very often observed in patients with anorexia nervosa. You can easily determine if you are suffering from anemia if you know how hemoglobin is indicated in blood tests. If it is underestimated, then take measures to raise Fe in the body.
Signs of Low Hemoglobin
On the state of health, a decrease in hemoglobin affects significantly. One feels a breakdown, weakness. With a sedentary lifestyle, this is not immediately noticed, but those who are engaged in physical labor, immediately feel it on themselves. Signs of Anemia:
- Dry mucous membranes, pale skin.
- The surface of the tongue with a lack of B12 is painful, hyperemic, smooth.
- Brittle hair and nails.
- Cracks form in the corners of the mouth.
It is easy to remember how hemoglobin is indicated in analyzes - Hb. Watch for its norms in the body. Track the indicator for yourself and your loved ones, do not allow the occurrence of various forms of anemia, including severe. Such forms, as a rule, already have a neurological character. May occur:
- Changes in sense of smell.
- Perversion of appetite.
- Headache.
- Inflammation of the optic nerves.
- Parasthesia.
In childhood, there is a violation of behavior, the development of intelligence. In the elderly - a decrease in adaptive mechanisms, insufficient blood supply to tissues, resulting in dizziness and fainting.
Increase hemoglobin level
Now that we have understood how the hemoglobin level in a blood test is indicated, be sure to analyze your result. Found signs of anemia? Take measures to increase hemoglobin. For the body, this is very important. The doctor must find out why a decrease in the indicator has occurred in your body. For reasons such as significant blood loss or the death of a large number of red blood cells, it is necessary to eliminate these symptoms. Drugs that contain iron are prescribed. If the numbers are not so scary, then you can get by with a proper diet. Include in your diet foods that help increase hemoglobin, due to the content of iron, as well as vitamins B, C, PP. Do not forget that iron, as we said above, is divided into heme (absorption 25%) and non-heme - 6%. Keep in mind that iron is oxidized during heat treatment. When drinking coffee and tea, be aware that they slow down the absorption of Fe, it is better to exclude them from your diet for a while. Better drink cocoa juices. What foods are suitable for dieting:
- Citrus.
- Offal.
- Red meat.
- Liver.
- Potatoes.
- Hard cheese.
- Green salad.
- Black bread.
- Egg yolk.
Increased hemoglobin
With reduced hemoglobin, we figured it out. And what are the indicators that overestimate the norm? This should also alert and become the reason for going to the doctor for clarification and examination. An increase in hemoglobin may indicate the following body dysfunctions:
- Hemoglobinemia. The situation when the destroyed red blood cells are in the blood plasma.
- Bowel obstruction.
- Erythrocytosis.
- Excess in the body of vitamins B9 or B12.
- Cancerous tumors.
- Pulmonary insufficiency.
- Increased blood glucose.
Increased hemoglobin is bad for your health. Blood thickening occurs, high viscosity does not allow the blood circulation to circulate correctly, hence oxygen starvation. As a result, blood clots, cardiovascular diseases, heart attacks and strokes. In this case, it is better to exclude foods that have a high iron content from your diet. Do not abuse fried, fatty foods, exclude vitamins B and C. The doctor should prescribe drugs that thin the blood.
When elevated hemoglobin is the norm
So, you look at the result, knowing how hemoglobin is indicated in a blood test. Decryption indicates that hemoglobin is elevated. Often this occurs in men. Should this always be a concern? In some cases, this may be the norm:
- For climbers, overestimated figures (up to 170 g / l) are associated with their professional activities.
- Mountain residents always have an increased rate, since their blood is usually oversaturated with oxygen.
- Athletes with intensive training also increase their hemoglobin level, since blood requires additional oxygen to deliver it in the right amount to the muscles.
- With long walks in the forest, the blood can be oversaturated with oxygen, respectively, and hemoglobin will increase.
MCH - the amount of hemoglobin in the red blood cell
Sometimes in the form of analysis you can find the SIT indicator, it indicates the amount of hemoglobin, but now in red blood cells. The unit of measurement for SIT is indicated in the pictogram. For adults, the normal indicator is 27-33 pg, for children under 16 years old, the norm is 28-32 pg. What does this indicator indicate? The ability of hemoglobin to saturate red blood cells. This indicator allows the doctor to make a more accurate diagnosis. An increase in MSN indicates the presence of anemia, autoimmune processes, cirrhosis. Underestimated values are a sign of chronic pathologies.