Hemoglobin test

Overview:

A hemoglobin test is a type of blood test that checks the amount of protein present in the red blood cells called hemoglobin. Hemoglobin has iron which facilitates the binding with oxygen and helps the red blood cells transport oxygen from the lungs to various parts of the body when a person breathes in. When a person exhales, it helps carry the carbon dioxide to the lungs to be sent out. The levels of hemoglobin in the body let doctors know the health of red blood cells in a person’s body. It helps them diagnose certain disorders of the blood.

The primary difference between the hemoglobin test and the hemoglobin a1c test is that the former is used to check the amount of hemoglobin in the blood while the latter is used to check the amount of glucose in the blood and monitor diabetes.

Why Do Doctors Recommend The Hemoglobin Test:

The hemoglobin test is a part of the complete blood count (CBC) test. It helps determine the amount of red blood, white blood cells, and platelets in the person’s blood sample. The doctor recommends the test for the following reasons:

1- The results enable the doctor to diagnose certain conditions.

The doctor suggests a hemoglobin test if the person shows the following symptoms:

• Fatigue and tiredness.
• Paleness in the skin.
• Weakness in the body.
• Dizziness and lightheadedness.
• Breathlessness.
• Coldness in the hands and feet.

These symptoms indicate that the person has low hemoglobin levels in their body.

If the person has the following symptoms, their hemoglobin levels are high.

• Headache.
• Blurring of vision.
• Feeling dizzy.
• Itchiness.
• Development of blood clots.

High hemoglobin levels thicken the blood and make it sluggish. Hence the flow to other organs is affected.

2- The test may be conducted as part of a routine check-up to assess a person's general health.

3- The test is suggested to monitor a certain medical condition to help the doctor gain clarity about the treatment plan going forward.

4- A hemoglobin test is also carried out to see how the person may respond to treatment that is targeted to increase or decrease the red blood cell count in the body.

What Conditions Cause Abnormal Levels of Hemoglobin:

Low levels of hemoglobin mean that the body is producing an insufficient amount of red blood cells or they are being killed faster than their rate of production. 

The conditions that cause low hemoglobin levels are

• Anemia.
• Vitamin B12 or folic acid deficiency.
• Cancer of the bone marrow.
• Thalassemia.
• Kidney disorders.
• Liver problems.
• Sickle cell disease.
• Autoimmune conditions like hypothyroidism.
• Excessive blood loss from surgery, menstrual bleeding, or bleeding in the digestive tract.

The conditions that cause elevated levels of hemoglobin are:

• Polycythemia vera.
• Congenital heart problems.
• Kidney cancer and other kidney issues.
• Lung conditions like pulmonary fibrosis and chronic pulmonary obstructive disease (COPD).
• Dehydration.

Certain additional factors also cause irregularities in hemoglobin levels. They include:

• Altitude at which the person is while taking the test. 
• The dietary habits of the person.
• The amount of physical activity or exercise a person does.
• If the person is taking certain medicines.
• Smoking.
• If the person has burns.
• Sleep apnea.

How Is The Procedure Carried Out:

• The test doesn’t require any preparation. The procedure takes only a couple of minutes and can be carried out in a laboratory.
• If the test is done along with other investigations that require fasting or any other specific preparation then the person is instructed accordingly by the doctor or the healthcare professional.
• The procedure includes drawing a blood sample from the arm of the person using a needle. If the test is conducted on a newborn, the blood is drawn from the heel. The technician wipes the area where the needle is going to be inserted. An elastic band or a tourniquet is wrapped around the upper arm and the fist is tightened to ease the flow of blood and make the veins more visible. The drawn blood is collected in a tube or vial and sent to the laboratory for analysis.
• The results are usually received within 24 hours and if there are any irregularities in the levels of hemoglobin the doctor may suggest further investigation to confirm the diagnosis of a medical condition.
• The normal levels of hemoglobin for adults are 12 grams per deciliter to 17.4 grams per deciliter.
• For men, the normal range is 13.2 to 16.6 per deciliter and for women it is 11.6 to 15 grams per deciliter.
• Abnormal levels don’t mean that the person is suffering from a health condition. The factors stated earlier influence the results. The best way is to discuss the findings with the doctor and let them decide the way forward.

What Are The Risks Involved In Hemoglobin Test:

• The test involves minimal risks which most people don’t experience. However, some people may feel mild pain when the needle is being inserted.
• Sometimes the person may feel dizzy or develop bruises at the place of insertion.
• At times the health professional may not be able to detect the vein and it may require multiple pricks by the needle.
• There may be chances of infection where the needle is put if there is broken or torn skin.

Conclusion:

A hemoglobin test is a simple, easy, and quick test to check the hemoglobin levels in a person’s body to provide a glimpse of the person’s health. It informs the doctors whether the person’s body is producing a sufficient amount of red blood cells to keep the body functioning normally. Although the test depends on multiple factors for its accuracy, in most cases it helps diagnose various conditions that cause irregularities in the levels of hemoglobin for the doctor to initiate the right type of treatment modality.

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