Hemoglobin

If a hemoglobin test shows a higher than normal level, there are several potential causes — the blood disorder polycythemia vera, living at a high altitude, smoking and dehydration.

 

You may have a hemoglobin test for several reasons:

• To check your overall health. Your doctor may test your hemoglobin as part of a complete blood count during a routine medical examination to monitor your general health and to screen for a variety of disorders, such as anemia.
• To diagnose a medical condition. Your doctor may suggest a hemoglobin test if you're experiencing weakness, fatigue, shortness of breath or dizziness. These signs and symptoms may point to anemia or polycythemia vera. A hemoglobin test may help diagnose these or other medical conditions.
• To monitor a medical condition. If you've been diagnosed with anemia or polycythemia vera, your doctor may use a hemoglobin test to monitor your condition and guide treatment.

Lower than normal results

If your hemoglobin level is lower than normal, you have anemia. There are many forms of anemia, each with different causes, which can include:

• Iron deficiency
• Vitamin B-12 deficiency
• Folate deficiency
• Bleeding
• Cancers that affect the bone marrow, such as leukemia
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Hypothyroidism
• Thalassemia — a genetic disorder that causes low levels of hemoglobin and red blood cells

If you've been previously diagnosed with anemia, a hemoglobin level that's lower than normal may indicate a need to alter your treatment plan.

Higher than normal results

If your hemoglobin level is higher than normal, it may be the result of:

• Polycythemia vera — a blood disorder in which your bone marrow makes too many red blood cells
• Lung disease
• Dehydration
• Living at a high altitude
• Heavy smoking
• Burns
• Excessive vomiting
• Extreme physical exercise

If you've been previously diagnosed with polycythemia vera, an elevated hemoglobin level may indicate a need to alter your treatment plan.

If your hemoglobin level is below or above normal, your doctor may want to evaluate the hemoglobin test results along with those of other tests, or additional tests may be necessary, to determine next steps.

For specifics about what your hemoglobin test results mean, talk to your doctor.

The laboratory test results are NOT to be interpreted as results of a "stand-alone" test. The test results have to be interpreted after correlating with suitable clinical findings and additional supplemental tests/information. Your healthcare providers will explain the meaning of your tests results, based on the overall clinical scenario. For further information about these lab tests contact Symbion VIP Diagnostics pathology lab Ahmedabad at 09429410291