Elevated hemoglobin by itself is not considered a disorder, but rather a symptom of a medical condition. Therefore, treatment must target the underlying cause.
It's important to note that hemoglobin counts of endurance athletes can be as much as 30% higher than that of the average adult, which is considered normal. Like other blood values, slightly high or low levels of hemoglobin may be normal for some people. Still, suppose you are falling too far out of the normal range. In that case, your doctor will most likely order more comprehensive testing to determine the cause.
High levels of hemoglobin are associated with increased blood thickness. Blood thickness can slow down the blood flow and oxygen transport. In some cases, blood clots can form. Blood clots increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Some specific causes of high hemoglobin might be:
- Dehydration
- Living at high altitude
- Medications such as anabolic steroids (incl. testosterone) and others.
- Smoking
- Poor lung function
- Heart problems
- Kidney Cancer
- Liver Cancer
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Potential treatment options:
General approaches to managing high hemoglobin include staying well-hydrated to dilute blood concentration, undergoing phlebotomy to reduce blood volume, and taking prescribed medications to address the root cause, such as heart or lung diseases. In some cases, oxygen therapy might be necessary, especially for chronic lung conditions. Additionally, adopting lifestyle changes like quitting smoking, engaging in regular exercise, and following a healthy diet can be beneficial in controlling conditions that lead to elevated hemoglobin levels. Importantly, ongoing monitoring and regular health check-ups are crucial for keeping track of hemoglobin levels and ensuring overall health stability. This comprehensive approach, while general, underscores the importance of seeking personalized medical advice for effective management of high hemoglobin levels.
If your levels are slightly elevated:
To modestly lower slightly elevated hemoglobin levels, consider increasing hydration to dilute blood concentration, adjusting your diet to avoid excessive iron intake, and quitting smoking, as tobacco use can raise hemoglobin. Moderating exercise routines is also beneficial, as intense physical activity can increase hemoglobin. Managing stress through relaxation techniques can positively impact overall health, including hemoglobin levels. However, it's essential to regularly monitor these levels and follow the guidance of a healthcare professional, who can provide personalized advice based on your specific health situation. These general strategies should be considered in consultation with medical advice to ensure they are appropriate for your condition.
Hemoglobin is a protein in your red blood cells. Your red blood cells carry oxygen throughout your body. If you have a condition that affects your body’s ability to make red blood cells, your hemoglobin levels may drop.
Low hemoglobin levels may be a symptom of several conditions, including different kinds of anemia and cancer.
If a hemoglobin test reveals that your hemoglobin level is lower than normal, it means you have a low red blood cell count (= anemia). Anemia can have many different causes, including vitamin deficiencies, bleeding and chronic diseases.
What are symptoms of low hemoglobin (= anemia)?
Low hemoglobin can lead to tiredness, difficulty concentrating, and when severe, even difficulty breathing, chest pain with exertion and fainting.
How is low hemoglobin treated?
Healthcare providers treat low hemoglobin by diagnosing the underlying cause. For example, if your hemoglobin levels are low, your healthcare provider may do tests that reveal you have iron-deficiency anemia. If that’s your situation, they’ll treat your anemia with supplements. They may recommend you try to follow an iron-rich diet. In most cases, treating the underlying cause of anemia will bring the hemoglobin level up.
What causes hemoglobin levels to go low?
- Your body doesn’t make enough red blood cells. Your body produces red blood cells and white blood cells in your bone marrow. Sometimes, conditions and diseases affect your bone marrow’s ability to produce or support enough red blood cells.
- Your body produces enough red blood cells, but the cells are dying faster than your body can replace them.
- You’re losing blood from injury or illness. You lose iron anytime you lose blood. Sometimes, women have low hemoglobin levels when they have their periods. You may also lose blood if you have internal bleeding, such as a bleeding ulcer.
- Your body can’t absorb iron, which affects your body’s ability to develop red blood cells.
- You’re not getting enough essential nutrients like iron and vitamins B12 and B9.
Diseases, conditions and other factors that affect red blood cell production include:
Lymphoma. Lymphoma is a term for cancers in your lymphatic system. If you have lymphoma cells in your bone marrow, those cells can crowd out red blood cells, reducing the number of red blood cells.
Leukemia. Leukemia is cancer of your blood and bone marrow. Leukemia cells in your bone marrow can limit the number of red blood cells your bone marrow produces.
Anemia. There are many kinds of anemias involving low hemoglobin levels. For example, if you have aplastic anemia, the stem cells in your bone marrow don’t create enough blood cells. In pernicious anemia, an autoimmune disorder keeps your body from absorbing vitamin B12. Without enough B12, your body produces fewer red blood cells.
Multiple myeloma. Multiple myeloma causes your body to develop abnormal plasma cells that may displace red blood cells.
Myelodysplastic syndromes. This condition happens when your blood stem cells don’t become healthy blood cells.
Chronic kidney disease. Your kidneys make a hormone that signals your bone marrow to make red blood cells. Chronic kidney disease affects this process.
Antiretroviral medications. These medications treat certain viruses. Sometimes, these medications damage your bone marrow, affecting its ability to make enough red blood cells.
Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy may affect bone marrow cells, reducing the number of red blood cells your bone marrow produces.
What are risk factors for low hemoglobin?
- Older people or people who lack iron in their diets can be at risk of developing anemia.
- People who perform vigorous exercise are also at greater risk, as exertion can lead to a breakdown of red blood cells in the bloodstream.
- Someone who is menstruating or pregnant may also be at increased risk of developing anemia.
- People who have chronic health conditions, including autoimmune conditions, liver disease, thyroid disease, and inflammatory bowel disease, may have lower hemoglobin levels, which increases the chances of developing anemia.
What is hemoglobin?
Hemoglobin is the main component of red blood cells. Hemoglobin (abbreviation: Hb) is a red substance made of iron and protein.
What's the function of hemoglobin?
- In the blood, it carries oxygen to the cells in the body from the lungs.
- Hemoglobin also carries carbon dioxide away from the cells to the lungs, later exhaled from the body. Carbon dioxide is a colorless and odorless gas present in small amounts in the air. It is a result of metabolism in the body. Metabolism is the chemical action in cells that release energy from nutrients or use energy to create other substances.
What are normal reference ranges for hemoglobin?
Normal hemoglobin levels differ depending on several factors, including age, sex at birth, hormonal supplementation, altitude of residence as well as presence of different hemoglobin types that impact hemoglobin turnover and affinity for oxygen binding.
Like other blood values, slightly high or low levels of hemoglobin may be normal for some people. Still, suppose you are falling too far out of the normal range. In that case, your doctor will most likely order more comprehensive testing to determine the cause.
Hemoglobin (Female range)
