Blood counts, which are determined during a general analysis, can tell a lot about the state of the body, about the work of its systems. Therefore, it is prescribed both during the passage of the periodic medical examination, and when patients turn to the therapist, other doctors. One of the important indicators is hemoglobin. It must be at a certain level. Why hemoglobin is lowered will be discussed in detail below.
General definition
Why is hemoglobin low? This question is faced by some people who have passed a clinical blood test. To understand this, you need to know what hemoglobin is. It is worth saying that the well-being of a person depends on it. With a decrease in this indicator, a number of unpleasant symptoms appear, which is difficult not to notice. A reduced hemoglobin level affects the work of all systems and organs.
Blood erythrocytes are responsible for the production of hemoglobin. At an early stage of their development, the process of its production is launched. When a person takes a breath, red blood cells are filled with oxygen. Then they carry it throughout the body, filling all tissues with the substance necessary for metabolic processes. It is hemoglobin that combines with oxygen in red blood cells. If it is not enough, the cell cannot transport the required amount of oxygen. For this reason, the decline in this indicator is of concern.
Functions
Why is hemoglobin in the blood low? There are many reasons that affect an indicator. It is important to understand that hemoglobin is very important for the normal functioning of the body. This substance is not only responsible for the transport of oxygen, but also carbon dioxide, which is produced during the metabolism of cells.
If metabolic processes occur incorrectly, all tissues suffer. Cells do not receive the right amount of oxygen, and carbon dioxide is also not removed from them in the right amount. If no action is taken, the consequences can be serious. At different ages, this indicator can vary significantly. It is also worth noting that in men and women its level is not the same. Therefore, the analysis takes into account the gender, age factor. When hemoglobin is lowered, it is said that anemia develops.
Survey
Why is reduced hemoglobin in women and men determined at a different level? This is due to the physiological characteristics of the body. The fact that this indicator is below normal is determined by laboratory examination of capillary blood. This is a simple but informative method.
To donate blood to determine the level of hemoglobin, you need to contact a therapist. If there are certain symptoms, he will give a direction. Also, the analysis is prescribed during a periodic physical examination, during pregnancy, during the preparation for surgery, etc.
Blood will need to be donated from a finger. It is best to take it on an empty stomach. However, a light breakfast is allowed in the morning. Depending on the work of the laboratory, the result will be ready in a few hours or the next business day. The form must indicate the range in which the indicator should be for a specific group of patients. This allows you to immediately establish normal, low or high hemoglobin in humans.
So, for example, wondering why hemoglobin in the blood of women during pregnancy is lowered, it is worth considering that during this period many new processes occur. The amount of blood increases unevenly. Therefore, hemoglobin may be reduced. To a certain level, this is considered quite normal.
Elevated levels are extremely rare. Deviations to a smaller side are more common.
Norm in adults
Why is decreased hemoglobin more common in women than in men? In childhood, both sexes have the same indicator. However, in puberty, this indicator begins to differ. Sex hormones determine physiological characteristics. It is under their influence that the hemoglobin level changes in different periods of a person’s life. Moreover, in women, even after menopause, this indicator will differ from the level normal for men.
Only a doctor can diagnose low hemoglobin. Therefore, it is impossible to independently determine whether the indicator obtained is sufficient or not. However, in general terms, hemoglobin should be as follows:
Adult man | Adult woman |
125-175 g / l | 120-156 g / l |
In the blood of men, a large number of androgens is determined. This hormone stimulates the production of red blood cells. Therefore, for representatives of the stronger sex, the indicator should be higher. Why is hemoglobin in blood lowered in men? There are a number of pathologies that affect this process. In women, reduced hemoglobin is the norm in some conditions.
Children's age and pregnancy
After testing, some parents may ask why a three-month-old baby has low hemoglobin. In childhood, this figure is higher than in adults. Gradually, it decreases as the baby grows older. The highest level this indicator reaches in infancy. Therefore, the lower value of this indicator is of concern.
Before considering why reduced hemoglobin in infants, in a child of preschool or school age, you need to know the permissible norms:
First 2 weeks of life | 135-196 g / l |
First year of life | 110-135 g / l |
School age | 115-140 g / l |
In a growing body there are many changes. Because of this, the presented indicator is gradually changing. During pregnancy, hemoglobin should be between 110 and 145 g / l. At this time, it is required to eat foods rich in iron, and reduce the amount of tea, coffee, and other substances that reduce the absorption of this trace element.
Characteristic symptoms
Why is hemoglobin decreased? There are many factors of such an unpleasant phenomenon. In this case, a number of characteristic symptoms appear. If a person notes such manifestations, you need to be examined as soon as possible.
One of the earliest and most common symptoms is general weakness with low hemoglobin levels. A person quickly gets tired, he often has shortness of breath. The condition is mostly drowsy. Sometimes dizziness or headaches may occur. Disturbances in the field of arterial pressure, heart rate are determined.
If the hemoglobin level drops significantly, even fainting is possible. Due to a lack of iron, the skin becomes dry, peeling. Cracks may appear in the corners of the mouth, on the hands. Hair and nails also suffer from a lack of oxygen. They become brittle. Sometimes the hair on the head falls out strongly due to a violation of oxygen metabolism.
Wondering why hemoglobin in the blood of a child or an adult is lowered, medical staff say that it is iron deficiency that becomes the most common cause. Because of this, the lifespan of cells is markedly reduced. Sometimes there are disturbances in the perception of taste and smell.
At times when hemoglobin is greatly reduced, a person may want inedible things, such as earth. Selectivity also appears in food. You may want certain foods, such as red wine. However, treatment with a significant decrease in this indicator cannot be limited only to diet. In humans, deviations in the work of all organs are observed. Particularly noticeable is a decrease in concentration of attention, memory. The faster treatment is started, the less negative the consequences.
Three groups of reasons
It should be noted that during the diagnosis, hemoglobin is often determined quite often. The reasons for this phenomenon can be divided into three groups. Further actions aimed at restoring the normal level of hemoglobin depend on this.
The first category includes pathologies associated with impaired production of protein with iron content. As a result, it becomes insufficient. Most often this is due to gastrointestinal disorders. A person consumes a sufficient amount of food, which contains iron. However, due to digestive disorders, they are poorly absorbed. Often a similar situation occurs after surgery on the stomach or duodenum. Long, tough diets, and starvation are also characterized by the same effect. An unbalanced diet also leads to a lack of iron in the body.
The second group of factors why hemoglobin in the blood is lowered is the rapid destruction of red blood cells existing in the body. This is due to external factors. This, for example, may be increased radiation, a poor environmental situation, etc. Sometimes a person’s own immunity fails. Red blood cells are perceived as foreign cells. White blood cells destroy them. Under the influence of various factors, such cells die much earlier than expected. Low hemoglobin in this case is explained by an insufficient number of cells capable of transporting oxygen to tissues.
The third group of causes included pathologies for the synthesis of this substance. At the same time, the body lacks both red blood cells and substances for the production of iron-containing protein. But the process of its formation in sufficient quantities is happening incorrectly. The cause of such failures is almost always a genetic predisposition.
Common causes
There are a number of reasons why reduced hemoglobin in men and women of different ages. Some of them are more common. In the vast majority of cases, the low level of the presented indicator is explained by improper or insufficient nutrition. Food is either not enough at all, or there are not enough foods involved in the synthesis of hemoglobin.
Moreover, it is worth saying that with diagnosed anemia in most cases it turns out that in the human diet there are not enough animal products. Vegetarians suffer from this disease. Plant foods are not digested well. Even if they contain a sufficient amount of substances necessary for the synthesis, the body takes them from food in very limited quantities. During pregnancy, this situation can only worsen. Therefore, when carrying a child, a woman is obliged to eat balanced. A vegetarian menu in this case will harm both the expectant mother and her baby.
The second no less common cause is blood loss. It can occur due to injury. Moreover, in this case, a person loses a significant amount of blood. Until the body recovers, it is impossible to take an analysis for hemoglobin level. Donors also have a similar condition after the transfusion procedure. To restore the normal level of this indicator requires a minimum of 2 weeks. At this time, the diet should be as rich as possible with products containing iron and other vitamins, trace elements.
After operations, in the presence of internal bleeding, with an ectopic pregnancy, the level of the presented indicator also drops markedly. Women have much more reasons why hemoglobin levels decrease. In addition to the period of pregnancy, a similar situation occurs during menstruation, as well as during menopause. A decrease in the level of sex hormones, blood loss during menstruation can also affect the result of the analysis. It is not given in the first 10 days of the menstrual cycle.
Other factors
The list of reasons for which hemoglobin in the blood is insufficient is extensive. Chronic infections reduce the production of this substance. Such diseases include tuberculosis, pyelonephritis, hepatitis, etc. Protracted diseases in the kidneys, liver, lungs cause similar conditions.
In older people, hemoglobin levels are always lower than in young people. This is due to the difference in the quality of assimilation of the necessary vitamins and minerals. Supplied with food, substances in old age are not properly redistributed in the body.
Being interested in why a child has lowered hemoglobin, it is worth noting that this situation occurs after a cold, flu. If the baby has recently had a similar illness, the diagnosis should be postponed for 10-14 days. Usually, after recovery, the indicator quickly returns to normal. Parents must provide their baby with proper, healthy nutrition. Sometimes the doctor advises taking special vitamin complexes during and after the common cold. They are able to strengthen the immune system, and also help the child's body recover quickly after an illness.
If the hemoglobin level is significantly reduced, diseases in the brain can become a cause. In this case, stem cells die. Also, with malignant neoplasms, anemia develops. This can be determined if the level of leukocytes in the blood is below normal.
Diseases of the thyroid gland, pathology of the connective tissue, can lead to the development of autoimmune conditions. As a result, the number of red blood cells is significantly reduced. This will also be seen during the clinical analysis. Without identifying the cause that affects the production of hemoglobin, it is impossible to conduct the correct treatment.
Treatment and prevention
Having identified the reason why hemoglobin is lowered, it is required to begin the correct treatment. First, the provoking factor is eliminated. With an unbalanced diet, the daily diet is revised. If the level of the presented indicator is lowered significantly, in addition to special foods, the doctor prescribes preparations containing iron.
In addition, the trace element in the synthesis of hemoglobin are vitamins B6, B12, and other components. Therefore, nutrition should be varied. It is important to supplement the diet with animal proteins. Beef is especially useful. Every day you need to eat fish, eggs. In this case, you must eat fruits and vegetables. Liver, chicken lean meat is also beneficial.
You need to eat different cereals (especially buckwheat) and legumes. You need to eat onions, tomatoes, potatoes (boiled), greens. In some fruits, the iron content is high. Do not think that only by eating them you can increase the level of hemoglobin. This is far from the case. This cannot be done without animal proteins. Fruits complement a balanced diet. Apples, bananas, pomegranates are especially useful in this case. You need to eat prunes, peaches, apricots. Also, do not avoid seafood, dried fruits. Nuts and dark chocolate are good for the body. The listed products should be regularly consumed in the prevention of the disease. A healthy lifestyle, reducing stress, physical exertion also gives a positive result.
Having considered why hemoglobin is lowered, as well as treatment and prevention methods, a number of negative factors that affect this indicator can be eliminated. The likelihood of developing anemia in this case will decrease significantly.