Reasons for Low Hemoglobin Levels

Low hemoglobin levels indicate low levels of hemoglobin in the red blood cells. Red blood cells (RBCs) produce a protein called hemoglobin that carries oxygen to various body parts. Reduced production of hemoglobin leads to a reduced supply of oxygen to the body. Low hemoglobin levels occur due to multiple disease conditions and affect the functioning of the red blood cells.

Low Hemoglobin levels:

The usual range of hemoglobin significantly varies between men and women. Normal hemoglobin levels in men are 14-18 g/dl; for women, it is 12-16 g/dl. Low hemoglobin is defined as less than 13 g/dl in men and less than 12 g/dl in women.  

Low hemoglobin causes:  

Low hemoglobin levels are caused due to the following conditions:

• Improper red blood cell production: This can occur due to diseases that affect the production of red blood cells. These could be cancers like leukemias and lymphomas that affect blood cell production in the bone marrow or anemias like aplastic anemia that affect the stem cells that produce RBCs.  
• Iron deficiency: Iron is essential for the formation of RBCs. When the body cannot utilize iron due to deficiency, it causes iron deficiency anemia, leading to low hemoglobin levels.  
• Nutrient deficiency: Essential nutrients like vitamin B12 are necessary to form RBCs. The body does not absorb vitamin B12 in pernicious anemia, leading to fewer RBCs and reduced hemoglobin levels.  
• Cancers like multiple myelomas produce abnormal blood cells in the bone marrow that replace the healthy red blood cells.  
• Diseases like myelodysplastic syndromes produce abnormal stem cells essential for the RBCs to form correctly. Long-term kidney diseases also affect the production of RBCs, leading to reduced hemoglobin levels.  
• Chemotherapy for cancers and medications that damage the bone marrow also produce abnormal RBCs, leading to lower hemoglobin levels.  
• Diseases that affect the lifespan of red blood cells also reduce hemoglobin levels. Diseases that affect the spleen can cause it to kill more RBCs than usual, leading to decreased hemoglobin levels.  
• Blood disorders like sickle cell anemia and thalassemia produce abnormally shaped RBCs that lead to reduced hemoglobin levels.  
• Blood loss due to heavy bleeding during menstrual period can reduce the hemoglobin levels in the body.  
• Ulcers, cancer, or hemorrhoids in the digestive tract cause severe internal bleeding, leading to lower hemoglobin levels.  

Low Hemoglobin Symptoms:

Low hemoglobin levels can produce the following symptoms:

• Fatigue, tiredness, and weakness are some of the first symptoms that develop when the hemoglobin levels are low
• The Paleness of the skin and gums  
• Breathlessness, even for simple strain, due to low oxygen levels carried by the blood
• Faster heartbeat than usual as the heart has to work hard to supply oxygen to the remaining parts
• Dizziness  
• Headache

Low hemoglobin treatment:

Blood tests and imaging diagnose low hemoglobin levels to identify the condition's cause. Depending on the severity, age, and the cause, low hemoglobin levels are treated by  

• Medications: Iron supplements are [prescribed if the low hemoglobin is caused by iron deficiency. Vitamins and nutrients are also given for hemoglobin deficiency due to their low levels.  
• Blood transfusions raise the number of RBCs and iron levels in the blood.  
• Systemic treatments include treating cancers or other diseases by identifying the source of low hemoglobin levels.  
• In case of bleeding gastric causes, surgery is indicated to control blood loss and hemoglobin levels.  

At home Low Hemoglobin management:

Hemoglobin levels can be raised by making dietary changes that include consuming Iron-rich foods like Meat, dried fruits, green vegetables, and beans; vitamin C-rich foods like Oranges, lemons, and kiwi; folate-rich foods like Beef, peanuts, black-eyed peas, beans, and wheat germ, and fruits like Apples and pomegranates.