Hemoglobin LabTest

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Hemoglobin LabTest
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Hemoglobin LabTest

A hemoglobin test measures the levels of hemoglobin in your blood. Hemoglobin is a protein in your red blood cells that carries oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. If your hemoglobin levels are abnormal, it may be a sign that you have a blood disorder.

Other names: Hb, Hgb

A hemoglobin test is often used to check for anemia, a condition in which your body has fewer red blood cells than normal. If you have anemia, your cells don't get all the oxygen they need. Hemoglobin tests are also frequently performed with other tests, such as:

  • Hematocrit, which measures the percentage of red blood cells in your blood
  • Complete blood count, which measures the number and type of cells in your blood

Your health care provider may have ordered the test as part of a routine exam, or if you have:

  • Symptoms of anemia, which include weakness, dizziness, pale skin, and cold hands and feet
  • A family history of thalassemia, sickle cell anemia, or other inherited blood disorder
  • A diet low in iron and minerals
  • A long-term infection
  • Excessive blood loss from an injury or surgical procedure
A health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes.
You don't need any special preparations for a hemoglobin test. If your health care provider has also ordered other blood tests, you may need to fast (not eat or drink) for several hours before the test. Your health care provider will let you know if there are any special instructions to follow.
There is very little risk to having a blood test. You may have slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms usually go away quickly.

There are many reasons your hemoglobin levels may be outside the normal range.

Low hemoglobin levels may be a sign of:

  • Different types of anemia
  • Thalassemia
  • Iron deficiency
  • Liver disease
  • Cancer and other diseases

High hemoglobin levels may be a sign of:

  • Lung disease
  • Heart disease
  • Polycythemia vera, a disorder in which your body makes too many red blood cells. It can cause headaches, fatigue, and shortness of breath.

If any of your levels are abnormal, it does not necessarily indicate a medical problem needing treatment. Diet, activity level, medications, a women's menstrual cycle, and other considerations can affect the results. In addition, you may have higher than normal hemoglobin if you live in a high altitude area. Talk to your health care provider to learn what your results mean.

  1. Aruch D, Mascarenhas J. Contemporary approach to essential thrombocythemia and polycythemia vera. Current Opinion in Hematology [Internet]. 2016 Mar [cited 2017 Feb 1]; 23(2):150–60. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26717193
  2. Hsia C. Respiratory Function of Hemoglobin. New England Journal of Medicine [Internet]. 1998 Jan 22 [cited 2017 Feb 1]; 338:239–48. Available from: http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM199801223380407
  3. Lab Tests Online [Internet]. Washington D.C.: American Association for Clinical Chemistry; c2001–2017. Hemoglobin; [updated 2017 Jan 15; cited 2017 Feb1]; [about 3 screens]. Available from: https://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/hemoglobin/tab/test
  4. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; How is Anemia Treated? [updated 2012 May 18; cited 2017 Feb 1]; [about 4 screens]. Available from: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/anemia/treatment
  5. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Types of Blood Tests; [updated 2012 Jan 6; cited 2017 Feb 1]; [about 4 screens]. Available from: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/bdt/types
  6. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; What Are the Risks of Blood Tests? [updated 2012 Jan 6; cited 2017 Feb 1]; [about 5 screens]. Available from: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/bdt/risks
  7. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Anemia? [updated 2012 May 18; cited 2017 Feb 1]; [about 4 screens]. Available from: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/anemia/signs
  8. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Polycythemia Vera? [updated 2011 Mar 1; cited 2017 Feb 1]; [about 4 screens]. Available from: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/poly/signs
  9. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; What Do Blood Tests Show? [updated 2012 Jan 6; cited 2017 Feb 1]; [about 4 screens]. Available from: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/bdt/show
  10. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; What is Anemia? [updated 2012 May 18; cited 2017 Feb 1]; [about 3 screens]. Available from: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/anemia
Hemoglobin LabTest

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