How to donate blood for hemoglobin: methods for determining the level and rules of donation

The success of treatment largely depends on the correct diagnosis. For this, various studies of internal organs are carried out, including a blood test. In this case, special attention is paid to the main element of the circulatory system - hemoglobin. He has an important function - to ensure the delivery of oxygen to all organs and tissues in the body. How to donate blood for hemoglobin?

The role of hemoglobin

In its structure, hemoglobin is a protein of complex structure with the inclusion of iron. In addition to its main responsibility for transporting oxygen, it also promotes the binding of carbon dioxide or CO ₂ in the tissues and its release from the lungs. But there is also another useful task that hemoglobin performs - ensuring a normal metabolism between blood cells.

Now the value of this protein is unlikely anyone can overestimate or underestimate. This is another sign that Mother Nature has foreseen everything. Typically, hemoglobin can be of two types:

• Pathological - it is formed due to some defect in the structure of the protein, which is due to its combination with carbon monoxide, chemicals.
• Physiological - this form, in turn, is divided into several more varieties. One type of protein is in the blood of adults. Another type of hemoglobin (called fetal) is present only in children under two years of age and over the years it completely disappears.

And actually where can I donate blood for hemoglobin? Usually, with complaints, the doctor himself writes out the appropriate direction, which is part of a diagnostic study. But if you want, it makes sense to contact the laboratory, which is present in every city.

The study of this protein allows you to identify the presence of a disease or to make sure that all body systems are functioning normally. Deviation of the amount of hemoglobin in one direction or another already indicates that the violation is present.

But at the same time, it is worth considering that some natural factors can also cause a mismatch with normal rates. But if we talk about violations, then a low hemoglobin level indicates anemia. Exceeding the norm indicates the presence of a disease that is caused by a thickening of the blood plasma.

Glycated Hemoglobin

There is another concept - glycated hemoglobin or glycohemoglobin (HbA1C). How to donate blood for glycated hemoglobin? Its presence is detected during a biochemical blood test. Thanks to this, you can find out the average sugar level in the blood of the human body, but over a long period (3 months). This is the main difference from glucose measurement, which shows the level of sugar at a particular point in the study.

All this is directly related to a disease such as diabetes. Unfortunately, the number of people with a similar diagnosis is increasing every year. A hemoglobin test allows you to determine how much protein is in conjunction with glucose molecules. And a deviation from the norm in this case indicates the development of diabetes.

The danger of this disease lies in the fact that the processes taking place in the body can lead to irreversible consequences. With an increase in blood glucose, the risk of serious pathologies and complications against their background increases. Therefore, one should not only know whether it is possible to donate blood with low hemoglobin, but also understand the importance of this study. Although with a small amount of protein, the patient will simply be denied an analysis for his own good. Probably due to anemia.

Red blood cells with hemoglobin on average live 120-125 days, for this reason, the study indicates a glucose level in relation to exactly 3 months. Moreover, the analysis must be carried out not only for preventive purposes. Without fail, it is prescribed to those patients who are undergoing a therapeutic course or have already completed the treatment of diabetes. Thus, the doctor can evaluate how effective the therapy was during the last quarter.

Hemoglobin and pregnancy

It is especially important to control the hemoglobin level in pregnant women, since deviations to a smaller or greater side can have serious consequences. Moreover, this applies not only to the course of pregnancy itself, but also to the child. Normally, the protein indicator is kept within 12-14 units.

Those who want to know how to donate blood for glycated hemoglobin should take into account one important point. Deviations can be insignificant, which can also be regarded as the norm, since in most cases they are short-lived. In the female body of a pregnant woman, hemoglobin, in addition to normalizing blood flow between the internal organs, forms a connection with the placenta, through which the child receives the necessary amount of oxygen.

With a low level of blood protein, graying symptoms are felt:

• dizziness, migraine;
• the strength of the immune system weakens;
• decreased performance;
• fragility of nails, hair;
• sleepless nights;
• dry skin (on the body and face).

In most cases, the hemoglobin level in pregnant women decreases after the 20th week. At the same time, this negatively affects the development of the child - first of all, his growth slows down, even in the womb his immunity is greatly undermined, and the metabolic process worsens. Therefore, many women care about how to donate blood to hemoglobin.

It is more likely that the child will subsequently be born with a low weight, and will also seriously lag behind peers in their development. In addition, one cannot avoid complications during the birth of a child. Due to the low hemoglobin content, labor activity slows down significantly. There may also be heavy bleeding.

Rules for taking hemoglobin analysis

As we now find out, carrying out a hemoglobin analysis allows you to find out the amount of iron-containing protein in the circulatory system over the past three months. No special preliminary preparation is required. However, it is important to perform such a procedure early in the morning and preferably on an empty stomach. Moreover, the last meal should be at least eight hours ago.

Do they give blood to hemoglobin on an empty stomach or not? This question worries many pregnant women who on an empty stomach can simply faint. In this case, you can and even need to take something to eat with you after the procedure. Chocolate will be the best option so that your health does not deteriorate and your strength is not lost.

At the same time, a week before the procedure, you must refuse to take the drugs. However, if this is not possible, you should discuss this issue with your doctor. Also, on the eve of the analysis, it is mandatory to refrain from eating fatty foods and junk food. In addition, try to avoid heavy physical exertion and keep calm.

General hemoglobin sampling procedure

Normal hemoglobin levels can be found by performing a general blood test. For this, the material is taken from the capillaries, that is, from the finger. His nurse pre-disinfects. Now the process itself is how blood is donated for hemoglobin.

The puncture itself is done using a disposable tool, which the medical professional opens in the presence of the patient. Then, armed with a special device (a glass tube connected to a small pear through an elastic transparent thin hose, but sometimes it is immediately located at the end of this tube), it collects the blood that is released from the finger. After that, the seized material is placed in test tubes, which are sent to the laboratory for the study.

It was mentioned above that the physiological form of hemoglobin has several varieties, but it is worthwhile to dwell on this in a little more detail. There are three of them:

• HbO2 is a combination of hemoglobin and oxygen, and such blood flows only through the arteries. Such a duet gives it a bright red and rich shade.
• HbH is an already reduced protein that has already given its portion of O ₂ .
• HbCO2 - as you can understand, instead of oxygen, hemoglobin combines with carbon dioxide and due to this the blood already becomes darker. The veins themselves are bluish.

We are already familiar with the pathological form. During the study, attention is paid specifically to physiological hemoglobin. The data obtained are compared with a table containing indicators of the norm, depending on the patient’s gender, his age. Possible deviations that are due to the individual characteristics of the human body are also taken into account.

Glycated hemoglobin assay

Where to donate blood for glycated hemoglobin? Actually in the same place where the procedure is carried out in relation to the total protein - clinic, laboratory. But how is biological material taken in this case? Special preliminary preparation is also not required here. In this case, you can donate blood on an empty stomach or on a full stomach - this will in no way affect the final result.

It is enough to follow the general rules of preparation for the study. Before the procedure, for 6-12 days do not drink alcohol-containing and energy drinks, avoid physical and nervous strain. Also abstain from smoking. The same applies to taking medication. They can just distort the results, and therefore it is temporarily worth stopping their use.

However, if therapy cannot be interrupted for any reason, it is worth notifying the doctor in advance. In this case, he will evaluate all the risks of drug withdrawal, and also determine whether such an analysis is worthwhile. Also, there should not be a question, do they donate blood to hemoglobin on an empty stomach or not?

The only difference lies in the way the biological material is taken. The level of total hemoglobin is determined by taking blood from the finger, while in relation to the glycated protein - from the vein.

Venous blood sampling procedure

As we now know, venous blood is needed to determine the level of hemoglobin for diabetes. For this, the procedure is performed according to the standard algorithm. The patient assumes a comfortable sitting position in the chair, puts his hand on a special roller, slightly bending it at the elbow.

After that, the nurse pulls a hand in a harness just above the elbow, pre-laying a napkin (to protect against damage). Now you can proceed directly to the procedure:

• the skin is treated with a disinfectant;
• a needle is inserted and the required amount of blood is drawn;
• the syringe is removed;
• the injection site is also processed and an additional cotton swab is applied. After stopping the bleeding, it can be thrown out.

However, in a number of medical institutions this procedure, as blood donation for hemoglobin, may differ from the established standard. A special vacuum test tube is used there, which minimizes trauma to the skin and increases the reliability of the data.

Interpretation of Results

If the results of the analysis show an increased level of hemoglobin in the blood, this does not indicate the development of diabetes mellitus. But with a greater degree of probability, one thing can be said - the carbohydrate metabolism process is definitely broken.

Only the attending physician can detect the presence of a disease. Moreover, in some cases, additional studies will be required to exclude other variants of the body's reaction.

For example, a low level of glycated protein (hypoglycemia) can indicate many diseases, including the development of a pancreatic tumor. This pathological condition in the body leads to increased production of insulin. Due to this, the sugar level drops, which causes hypoglycemia.

In this regard, it is important for patients not only to understand when it is better to donate blood for hemoglobin, they are not recommended to try to independently interpret the obtained test results. It must be remembered that they are not always true. And here, in many respects, everything depends not only on the actions of medical workers, but also on the preparation of the patient for analysis. Therefore, there are certain rules that are not difficult to adhere to; they help to avoid distortion of the results.

Norm indicators

What should be normal hemoglobin level? It all depends on many factors. Representatives of a strong half of humanity have a slightly higher amount of protein in the circulatory system than women. This is due to the peculiarity of the body and the influence of the hormone testosterone. The average value also depends not only on gender, but also on the person's age. Norm parameters are given in the table below.

As for children under 12 years old, the amount of hemoglobin in boys is the same as in girls. Its level varies by age parameter. It is advisable to know to everyone who is interested in how to properly take a blood test for hemoglobin. The average protein value is lower:

• From birth to 14 days - 135-200 g / l.

• From 2 to 4 weeks - 115-180 g / l.
• From 1 to 2 months - 90-130 g / l.
• From 2 to 6 months - 95-140 g / l.
• From 6 months to 1 year - 105-140 g / l.
• From 1 year to 5 years - 100-140 g / l.
• From 5 to 12 years old - 115-145 g / l.

At the same time, the average value of the norm, regardless of the age of the patient, in a healthy person can be in the range of 110-160 g / l. Over the years, blood begins to thicken, respectively, and the level of hemoglobin from a theoretical point of view should increase. But in reality, everything happens differently. And this is mainly due to the fact that most elderly people have various diseases. As a result, the hemoglobin level drops, which leads to anemia.

In pregnant women, the level of total protein also decreases, but only in the second half of the term. This can also be considered the norm. This is due to the fact that the blood volume rises in the body, and the bone marrow does not have time to produce the right amount of red blood cells and hemoglobin. For this reason, the normal range for pregnant women is 110 g / l.

Norm for glycated protein

As for the question, "how to donate blood for glycosylated hemoglobin," its value is determined in percentage terms. In this case, again, everything depends on the age, gender and state of human health. Norm indicators are presented in the table below.

If the analysis shows the result within normal limits, then there is no reason for concern - the person is completely healthy. With satisfactory indications, it is worth thinking about your own health. And the sooner the better. As you can understand, increased values ​​should already force any person to seek medical help without delay - it is likely that diabetes will develop.

Pregnant women also have their own norm:

• Normal readings are no more than 6% - in this case, there are no problems with the absorption of carbohydrates.
• Satisfactory values ​​range from 6% to 6.5% - it is worth changing your diet, as the risk of developing diabetes is quite high. The best choice is a low-carb diet.
• Increased protein is already more than 6.5% - patients who already have diabetes mellitus, the level of glycated hemoglobin can be from 6.5% to 8%.

In this regard, each expectant mother also needs to know how to take a blood test for glycated hemoglobin. At the same time, even if a person feels completely healthy, he still should periodically be tested for the diagnosis of diabetes. This is especially true for those who had people with the disease in their family. In addition, all pregnant women should also be on their guard, since gestational diabetes is not uncommon.

Low hemoglobin correction

Correction of hemoglobin level can be performed not only by taking medications. In addition, it is worth sticking to a certain diet, depending on the situation.

How to take a blood test for hemoglobin is understandable, now it’s worth touching on what can be done to adjust its quantity. If the hemoglobin level is underestimated, then you can increase it by eating foods rich in protein and iron. Beef or chicken and liver are especially valuable in this regard. It is worth considering that iron is much better absorbed from animal products. Pomegranate, buckwheat and apples also contain a lot of this essential element.

Bringing the level of hemoglobin back to normal will help the use of other equally useful foods:

• parsley;
• walnuts;
• spinach
• persimmons;
• honey.

In addition, a balanced diet should be supplemented by physical activity (moderate intensity), compliance with the night regime. If possible, you should also be outdoors - the benefits of oxygen should also not be discounted.

High hemoglobin diet

Those who are interested in how to donate blood for hemoglobin correctly may be wondering what can be done if their levels increase? First of all, it is necessary to exclude from the diet all products of a red tint:

• meat (beef, pork, liver);
• Tomatoes
• Garnet;
• red fruits (including apples of any kind), but citrus fruits (lemon in particular) can be considered a pleasant exception;
• carrot.

In relation to the berries should also be careful. As for meat products, it is better to replace them with fish and other seafood for the period of following the diet. The use of oats and barley should be significantly limited, but legumes and dairy products should be included in the diet. In addition, patients with high hemoglobin levels need to arrange fasting days at least once a week.

Fish oil, which can be found in almost any drugstore in capsule form, is an excellent nutritional supplement. Mummies will also help to cope with high levels of protein.

How often to donate blood for hemoglobin?

Upon reaching the age of 35, completely healthy people should take a hemoglobin test at least once every three years. But some people should carry out this procedure more often - once a year. In particular, this applies to the following cases:

• All people with relatives in the family with diabetes.
• Obesity.
• Work is associated with low motor activity.
• The abuse of alcohol and tobacco products.

In addition, women who have gestational diabetes and women with polycystic ovary are at risk. Monitoring hemoglobin levels is also necessary in young children and adolescents. As a result, it is possible to timely detect the presence of any problems in the body and prevent possible complications in case of diabetes.

But the elderly should be especially careful. As a rule, after reaching the age of 65, most of them are diagnosed with an increase in blood sugar levels.

However, many are not only not interested in how to donate blood for hemoglobin, but are in no hurry to see a doctor and do this after they have seriously worsened. But to eliminate complications in old age is much more difficult. Therefore, the importance of regular blood testing should not be underestimated!