Increased hemoglobin in the blood - what does it mean? Hemoglobin indicators by age

In a laboratory study of a blood test, the doctor often concludes "increased hemoglobin in the blood." What does this mean: is it dangerous to increase hemoglobin and how to normalize its level? All these questions worry patients and cause anxiety and unreasonable fears.

What is hemoglobin?

Hemoglobin is a complex heme consisting of protein and iron parts. The functions of hemoglobin are to transport oxygen to organs and tissues and to remove carbon dioxide compounds from them.

With insufficient hemoglobin in the blood, anemia develops. This helps to reduce the activity of the body and worsen the work of all vital systems. At the same time, exceeding the hemoglobin norm is fraught with thickening of the blood.

As a result of this, there is a blockage of blood vessels, blood clots form and difficulties arise in the transportation of oxygen. To determine the severity of the pathological process and the features of its treatment, it is necessary to know the norms of hemoglobin indicators.

Hemoglobin age norms

Normal hemoglobin levels vary with the age and gender of the patient. In men, this indicator is slightly lower than in women. The following norms are characteristic of them.

Since the functions of hemoglobin are to transport oxygen, its rate is very important for the proper functioning of the body. For female patients, the table looks like this.

With an increase in normal indicators by 10 or more units, it is necessary to prescribe therapeutic therapy and a diet that allows you to restore balance in the blood. Neglect of one's own health can cause the development of many complications and pathologies that could have been avoided with timely diagnosis and treatment.

Causes of Hemoglobin Levels

Why does a person have increased hemoglobin in the blood? What does it mean? High hemoglobin in itself is not a disease - it is only a symptom that accompanies many pathological processes that occur in the body. The increase is typical for:

• oncological diseases;
• intestinal obstruction;
• respiratory failure;
• cardiovascular failure;
• congenital malformations in the development of the heart;
• fibrosis (accumulation of dense tissue in the lungs);
• a sharp increase in the number of red blood cells (for example, with a blood transfusion);
• hormonal disorders that prevent the formation of red blood cells.

In addition to diseases, a high hemoglobin content in the blood can be a consequence of lifestyle. For people living in the mountains, high hemoglobin is the norm. This phenomenon is associated with a lack of oxygen in the air, therefore, the body requires a greater amount of iron-containing protein for sufficient oxygen to tissues and organs.

Smokers also have an increased rate. Long-term smoking causes a lack of oxygen in the tissues, which is offset by a high level of hemoglobin in the blood.

Nutrition also plays a very important role. A lack of folic acid and vitamin B12 provokes an increase in the amount of hemoglobin. To maintain balance in the body, it is necessary to lead a healthy lifestyle, eat well, play sports and regularly walk in the fresh air.

Symptoms of increased hemoglobin

The first symptoms of an increase in hemoglobin levels that are worth paying attention to are:

• drowsiness;
• fatigue;
• loss of appetite;
• pallor or redness of the skin;
• disorders in the digestive tract;
• violation of the genitourinary system;
• decreased visual acuity;
• increase in blood pressure (for no reason);
• aches in the joints.

If such symptoms are detected, a blood test must be taken; hemoglobin will also be among the main indicators. According to the patient’s age and gender, the hematologist will be able to figure out how to build the treatment regimen, if necessary, prescribe the correct medication and a supportive diet to reduce the level of complex protein in the blood.

What is dangerous increase in hemoglobin

Most people are not worried about increased hemoglobin in the blood. What does it mean? People do not pay attention to their state of health, do not know the symptoms and reasons for increasing this indicator, and put themselves at risk, which manifests itself in the development of complications of existing diseases and the development of new pathologies.

• Blood thickening - causes the formation of blood clots, blockage of blood vessels, disrupts the normal transport of oxygen. If untreated, thrombophlebitis (growths of blood clots on the vessels) develops, and then thromboembolism, which causes a malfunction of vital organs due to the attachment of thrombi to them.
• High hemoglobin in pregnant women can cause a delay in fetal development, confusion and lack of cognitive abilities.
• High blood viscosity caused by excessive hemoglobin in the blood contributes to heart attacks and strokes.
• Imbalance in the blood composition causes a change in the shape of red blood cells. This pathology is called sickle-shaped anemia, since red blood cells take the shape of a crescent and cannot do their job (adding hemoglobin and transporting it throughout the body).
• High hemoglobin also affects the general condition of the body, causing drowsiness, weakness, lack of appetite, rapid fatigue, dizziness and decreased performance.

If such a condition has not been diagnosed for a long time and cannot be treated, the consequences can be very serious for the work of the whole organism.

How to lower hemoglobin

High hemoglobin values ​​that are not associated with pathological processes in the body can be affected by blood thinning medications (Aspirin, Cardiomagnyl, Curantil, Trental), and a certain balanced diet.

With high hemoglobin, the following nutritional rules must be adhered to:

• exclude red fruits and vegetables (especially beets) from the diet;
• exclude the use of dried mushrooms, offal (liver, kidneys, heart);
• consume large amounts of water - it is important to take into account the norm (40 ml / 1 kg of a person’s weight), this is necessary to prevent unnecessary stress on the heart;
• dairy products allow lowering hemoglobin levels, as they interfere with the absorption of iron.

In rare cases, you can resort to the option of donation or erythrophoresis (reducing the number of red blood cells in the blood stream by removing them).

High hemoglobin in women

High hemoglobin in pregnant women is a very dangerous phenomenon. Violation of the norm indicates that the mother has pathologies in the work of the kidneys and liver, as well as the presence of violations in the development of the child.

A woman must always adhere to proper nutrition, consume vitamin complexes, spend enough time in the fresh air and lead an active lifestyle. In this case, high hemoglobin will quickly return to normal and will not cause dangerous disturbances in the body.

High hemoglobin in men

In men, the cause of such a pathology is often bad habits, especially smoking. To prevent the development of complications, it is necessary to take a blood test at the first suspicion of increased hemoglobin in the blood. What does it mean? If drowsiness, fatigue, frequent or difficult urination, and redness of the skin appear, it is important to consult a doctor.

A hematologist will help establish the daily regimen, talk about the need to maintain a balanced diet, physical activity and rejection of addictions that adversely affect the functioning of all vital systems.

High hemoglobin in children

In newborns, the level of hemoglobin in the blood is always elevated. This is not a pathology, as it is associated with physiological processes. As they grow older, the indicator should decline and return to normal. If this does not happen, it is necessary to exclude the presence of congenital heart defects, blood diseases and oncology.

Knowing what hemoglobin means for the human body, you can pay attention to the onset of symptoms in time and seek medical help. With timely diagnosis and treatment, many complications and diseases can be avoided.