Hemoglobin

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Hemoglobin

Overview

Risks

Results

Hemoglobin

Alternative Names:

Hgb; Hb

Normal Values:

Hemoglobin (varies with altitude):

Male: 13.8 to 17.2 gm/dl
Female: 12.1 to 15.1 gm/dl

Note: gm/dl = grams per deciliter

What abnormal results mean:

Lower-than-normal hemoglobin may indicate:

anemia (various types)
erythropoietin deficiency (from kidney disease)
red blood cell destruction associated with transfusion reaction
bleeding
lead poisoning
malnutrition
nutritional deficiencies of iron, folate, vitamin B-12, vitamin B-6
overhydration

Higher-than-normal hemoglobin may indicate:

congenital heart disease
cor pulmonale
pulmonary fibrosis
polycythemia vera
increased RBC formation associated with excess erythropoietin

Additional conditions under which the test may be performed:

This test may be performed under many conditions and in assessment of many diseases.

Review Date: 2/3/2005
Reviewed By: Rita Nanda, M.D., Department of Hematology/Oncology, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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