Markers › Hemoglobin

Hemoglobin

Complete Blood CountBlood HealthBlood

Hemoglobin is the protein that makes up most of a red blood cell. It contains iron, which lets it bind to oxygen, so red blood cells can carry oxygen from the lungs to the body's other tissues and organs.

Why it matters: A low hemoglobin level often comes with fatigue, weakness, dizziness, shortness of breath, pale skin, and cold hands and feet.

Source · Cleveland Clinic — what it is, why it matters, what moves it, related conditions

Reference Range
130.0 – 175.0g/L
130
175LowNormalHigh
What Moves It

May increase with:

Polycythemia vera
Congenital heart defects
Some kidney diseases
COPD
Pulmonary fibrosis

May decrease with:

Iron deficiency
Other nutrient deficiencies
Blood loss
Kidney or liver disease
Cancers affecting the blood
Associated Conditions
Iron deficiency, which low levels may be a sign ofA nutrient deficiency such as vitamin B12 or folic acid, which low levels may be a sign ofHaemolytic anaemia, where red blood cells are destroyed faster than they are made, which low levels may signalCancers that affect the blood or bone marrow, which low levels may be a sign ofThalassaemia, which low levels may be a sign ofKidney disease, which low levels may be a sign ofLiver disease, which low levels may be a sign ofSickle cell disease, which low levels may be a sign ofAutoimmune diseases, which low levels may be a sign ofBlood loss from surgery, injury, menstrual bleeding or bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract, which low levels may be a sign ofPolycythaemia vera, which high levels may be a sign ofCongenital heart defects, which high levels may be a sign ofCertain kidney diseases including kidney cancer, which high levels may be a sign ofLung disease including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pulmonary fibrosis, which high levels may be a sign of
Related Markers
FerritinMCVrbcIronVitamin B12folate
Common questions

What is Hemoglobin?

Hemoglobin is the protein that makes up most of a red blood cell. It contains iron, which lets it bind to oxygen, so red blood cells can carry oxygen from the lungs to the body's other tissues and organs.

What might a high or low Hemoglobin mean?

A low hemoglobin level often comes with fatigue, weakness, dizziness, shortness of breath, pale skin, and cold hands and feet.

What is the typical reference range for Hemoglobin?

The general-population reference range shown here is 130 – 175 g/L. Reference ranges describe the general population and are not a personal target — discuss your results with your physician.

What can affect Hemoglobin?

It may be higher with: Polycythemia vera, Congenital heart defects, Some kidney diseases, COPD, Pulmonary fibrosis. It may be lower with: Iron deficiency, Other nutrient deficiencies, Blood loss, Kidney or liver disease, Cancers affecting the blood.

More in Complete Blood Count
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