You received your Hemoglobin test results but still need help determining if they fall under the normal range. Read this section to understand whether your results are within the Hemoglobin normal range or not.
What Does Hemoglobin Test Results Mean?
A hb screening test interprets and confirms your Hemoglobin level within the body. It shows whether your Hemoglobin levels are too high or too low, pinpointing how severe the condition is. Your doctor will diagnose based on other test results and your Hemoglobin levels.
If your Hemoglobin is below the normal Hemoglobin range, you may have signs of conditions like thalassemia, anaemia, iron deficiency, liver disease, etc. Hb test results showing higher than the Hemoglobin normal range means you have signs of heart and lung disease.
What Is Hemoglobin Normal Range?
Adult
Here is a table representing the Hemoglobin (HB) normal range for men, women, and Pregnant women. The data here is a close estimation. Consult your doctor for exact reference ranges.
Children
Infants typically have higher average Hemoglobin levels than adults due to higher oxygen levels in the womb, requiring more red blood cells for oxygen transport. However, these levels gradually decrease after several weeks.
What Medical Conditions Can Cause High Hemoglobin Level?
If your Hemoglobin Test at home reveals a higher than normal hb level, it may happen because of the following medical conditions:
- Lung disease: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) includes a range of diseases associated with airflow blockage from the lungs that can raise your Hemoglobin levels.
- Living at a high altitude: At high altitudes, the decreased barometric pressure results in oxygen saturation of Hemoglobin. Oxygen extraction improves to meet tissue oxygen supply, which results in high Hemoglobin levels.
- Polycythemia vera: Hb levels are high in this condition wherein the red blood cell mass is more.
- Dehydration
- Heavy smoking
- Burns
- Extreme physical exercise
What Medical Conditions Can Cause Low Hemoglobin Level?
If your Hemoglobin screening test reveals a lower-than-normal Hb level, it may happen because of anaemia. This medical condition may trigger your body because of the following:
- Vitamin B-12 deficiency: This deficiency can result in the formation of abnormally large red blood cells that fail to perform effectively, in turn, impacting the Hb content in the blood.
- Bleeding: Extreme blood loss results in low Hb levels.
- Kidney disease: Whether acute or chronic, in kidney disease, your kidney fails to produce enough EPO, which reduces the RBC and Hemoglobin count.
- Hypothyroidism: It is known to suppress the activity of RBC-producing bone marrow cells and thus results in a depleted Hb level.
- Iron deficiency: Iron and Hemoglobin are directly related. Iron deficiency thus leads to low Hemoglobin levels.
- Folate deficiency: Folate plays an important role in the making of RBCs and its deficiency impacts RBC count and Hemoglobin levels alike.
- Bone marrow disorders: Conditions like leukemia, lymphoma, or aplastic anemia can lead to reduced red blood cell production.
- Hemolytic disorders: These include sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, G6PD deficiency, and hereditary spherocytosis, where red blood cells are destroyed prematurely.
Read More: How To Increase Hemoglobin: Food That Boost Hemoglobin Levels
