What is the normal blood pressure range?

The reference value for haemoglobin (Hb value) in women is 120 to 155 grams per litre, and in men, it is about 130 to 170 grams per litre. Note that the haemoglobin level in the blood varies between different people, even among healthy individuals. It can also vary in the same person at different times.

Will my blood value vary if I test it multiple times on the same day?

Yes, it will vary, even in just a few hours. However, the measurement value should be within the reference interval. If it is above or below, it is recommended to seek medical care. Even instruments used in healthcare vary, so it is completely normal.

Why should I check my Hb?

Hb stands for haemoglobin, which is a protein molecule in red blood cells that plays an important role in transporting oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues. Checking your Hb is often part of a routine health check-up and it can provide information about your health and any underlying medical conditions.

There are several reasons why it may be important to monitor your Hb, here are some examples:

1. Anaemia: If your Hb is low, it may indicate that you have anaemia, which means you have fewer red blood cells than normal or that your red blood cells contain less haemoglobin than normal. Anaemia can be caused by many factors, including iron deficiency, vitamin B12 or folate deficiency, chronic diseases, or bone marrow problems.
2. Blood loss: If you have lost blood due to an accident, injury, or illness, your Hb may decrease. Checking your Hb can help doctors assess how serious the blood loss is and what treatment may be needed.
3. Condition assessment: Hb can also be used to assess your fitness and physical performance. Athletes can use Hb as an indicator of how well their bodies are transporting oxygen and whether there is a need to improve their fitness.
4. Monitoring of medical conditions: For people with certain medical conditions, such as chronic kidney disease, and cancer, but also other less serious conditions, regular Hb tests are important for monitoring the progression of the disease and the effect of treatment.

In summary, monitoring Hb can be useful for detecting and monitoring a number of medical conditions, including anaemia, blood loss, and certain chronic diseases. If you are unsure if you need to check your Hb, you should discuss it with your doctor or other medical personnel.

What does a low haemoglobin level mean?

A low haemoglobin level, also called anaemia, means that you have too few red blood cells in your blood, which reduces the transport of oxygen in the blood. Anaemia is defined as <120 g/L for women and <130 g/L for men. The most common cause of low haemoglobin is iron deficiency, but anaemia can also occur in other conditions such as chronic intestinal diseases, ulcers, and bleeding from haemorrhoids. Deficiency in vitamins B12 (cobalamin) and B9 (folic acid) can also lead to anaemia. Women can have low Hb levels during pregnancy and menstruation.

What does a high haemoglobin level mean?

Elevated haemoglobin levels are defined as >155 g/L for women and >170 g/L for men.

You should take high haemoglobin levels seriously as they may indicate a serious underlying medical condition. Elevated haemoglobin levels can occur due to a change in fluid balance and dehydration as a result of too little fluid intake or too much fluid loss, through sweating, diarrhoea, or vomiting. Once you are rehydrated, the value should return to normal. If you are at a high altitude, where oxygen levels are lower, your body will increase the production of blood cells, causing the haemoglobin level to rise. Even if you do not have an underlying condition, it is important to treat a high haemoglobin level. Irregularly high haemoglobin levels can lead to complications such as blood clots, heart attack, and stroke.

What is the difference between Hb and iron levels?

Hb, haemoglobin level, is often mistakenly thought to be the same as iron level, which is something completely different. Hb shows the amount of iron-containing protein present in all red blood cells. To assess iron stores, it is more reliable to measure ferritin in the blood, which shows how much iron is stored and available in the body.

If the body runs out of iron reserves and cannot produce enough Hb, the blood level (Hb) falls. This is called iron deficiency anaemia, or low haemoglobin due to iron deficiency. If the body runs out of iron reserves (ferritin), it cannot produce enough haemoglobin (Hb), resulting in a drop in blood levels. This is called iron deficiency anaemia, or low haemoglobin due to iron deficiency."