What is Hemoglobin and how is it made?
It is also abbreviated as “hgb”. Hemoglobin is the protein present in your red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the body tissues and returns carbon dioxide from the tissues to the lungs.
Like all proteins, hemoglobin is also made of amino acids but with polypeptide chains in which two alpha chains of 141 amino acid residues each and two beta chains of 146 amino acid residues each.
What is the normal Hemoglobin Level?
For Men – 13.5 to 17.5 grams per deciliter
For Women – 12 to 15.5 grams per deciliter
Do you want to know what happens if your hemoglobin levels are higher or lower than the above? Then read the article completely
What are the causes of High Hemoglobin Levels:
Polycythemia: In this condition, it will increase the total number of red blood cells in the body will be increased and due to this the blood becomes thicker and it occurs blood clot and leads to severe side effects such as headache, shortness of breath, blur vision
Lung diseases: Due to an increase in haemoglobin levels in the body it is difficult to pass oxygen to the bloodstream it causes lung diseases
Staying at high altitudes: If you are staying at a location where there is less oxygen such as hills, mountains gradually the hemoglobin levels in the body increases
Intake of tobacco: Due to this they are many side effects in that one of is an increase of haemoglobin levels as well including cigars
Dehydration: If you are not taking much amount of fluids on the daily basis it will increase your red blood cells because there are no other fluids to balance them
Kidney tumors: Intake of high erythropoietin may lead to increase high red blood cells count in the body
What are the causes of Low Hemoglobin levels:
Kidney failure: If your kidneys are not functioning inappropriate way then they don’t produce the hormones that require to stimulate red blood cells
hypothyroidism: In this condition, the thyroid glands in the body will not able to produce enough thyroid hormones it leads to low hemoglobin levels
Bone marrow: leukemia is a condition that prevents your bone marrow to produce enough red blood cells
How to increase hemoglobin levels in the blood :
Take the food which is rich in iron and folate such as liver, shellfish, cabbage, spinach, beef, broccoli, peanuts, avocado, spinach, rice, lettuce
Intake of Iron supplements :
To increase the hemoglobin level (hgb) in the body we need to take iron supplements as per doctors advice because too much iron causes a condition called hemochromatosis which leads to liver disease such as cirrhosis
The other side effects due to more intake of iron supplements are constipation, vomitings, headache
As per the national institute of health office of Dietary supplements, a Men needs 8 mg and woman needs 18 mg, and a pregnant needs 27 mg of iron supplements in a day
Tips to increase Iron absorption in the body:
If you are taking iron supplements then consider the food rich in vitamin c such as citrus food, strawberries, green leafy vegetables that helps to increase the absorption of more iron in the body and helps to increases the blood cells count
How can I check my blood level at home??
Yes, you can monitor your blood levels at your home by using a hemoglobin meter. Digital hemoglobin meters will help to monitor hematocrit and hemoglobin levels in the whole blood.
It is required to monitor your haemoglobin levels at your home because you can know the variation of your blood levels in the body and based on that levels you can consume the food which your body is able to absorb and helps in the increasing of red blood cells count
Sensacore Hemo Spark Hemoglobin meter comes with the best accurate levels in the market with an accuracy of 98% with less than 15 seconds of test time with a low-cost haemoglobin meter with test strips. It also has a large LCD display to see the digital reading of your hemoglobin levels and a testing strip holder to place HB meter strips
