Hemoglobin

Hemoglobin (Hb) – role in the body

Hemoglobin is an iron-containing protein in red blood cells that is responsible for carrying oxygen from the lungs to the tissues and removing carbon dioxide.

Main functions:

1. Oxygen transport -binds O₂ in the lungs and releases it in the tissues.
2. Maintaining blood pH -participates in the regulation of acid-base balance.
3. Blood color – due to the heme (iron-containing part), the blood has a red color.

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Norms of hemoglobin in the blood

Group	Normal Hb (g/L)	Normal Hb (g/dL)
Men	130–160	13.0–16.0
Women	120–150	12.0–15.0
Pregnant Women	≥110	≥11.0
Children (1–6 years)	110–140	11.0–14.0
Adolescents (12–18 years)	120–160	12.0–16.0

The values depend on age and gender:

Note: Smokers and residents of the highlands may have higher Hb than normal.

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Symptoms of hemoglobin deficiency (anemia)

Reasons:

• Lack of iron (IDA), vitamin B12, or folic acid.
• Chronic blood loss (ulcers, menorrhagia).
• Kidney diseases (decreased erythropoietin).

Clinical manifestations:

1. Common:

• Weakness, rapid fatigue.
• Pallor of the skin and mucous membranes.
• Dizziness, tinnitus.

1. Cardiovascular diseases:

• Shortness of breath during exercise.
• Tachycardia, low blood pressure.

1. Specific features:

• Brittle nails and hair (with IDA).
• Burning of the tongue (with B12 deficiency).

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Symptoms of excess hemoglobin (erythrocytosis)

Reasons:

• Dehydration (false elevation).
• Chronic hypoxia (COPD, heart defects).
• Vaquez’s disease (true polycythemia).

Clinical manifestations:

1. Blood clot:

• Headaches, heaviness in the temples.
• Redness of the skin (especially the face).

1. Thrombotic complications:

• Numbness of the limbs.
• Risk of heart attack/stroke.

1. Enlargement of the spleen (with polycythemia).

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Diagnostics of deviations

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What should I do if there are deviations?

With anemia:

• Iron deficiency: Fe + vitamin C supplements.
• B12 deficiency: cyanocobalamin injections.
• Diet: liver, buckwheat, pomegranates.

With erythrocytosis:

• Bloodletting (with polycythemia).
• Hydration (in case of dehydration).
• Treatment of the underlying disease (COPD, heart disease).

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Interesting facts

• 1 Hb molecule can carry 4 O₂ molecules.
• The fetus has fetal hemoglobin (HbF), which disappears by the year of life.
• HbA1c (glycated) is used to diagnose diabetes.

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Conclusions

1. Hb Norm:

• Men: 130-160 g/l.
• Women: 120-150 g/l.

1. Decrease – > anemia (weakness, pallor).
2. Increased risk of thrombosis (headaches).