What is Hgb (Hemoglobin)? Low and High HGB

A blood test is a frequently requested examination when visiting hospitals. In the vast majority of these examinations, a count known as blood count is performed. The blood count actually counts the red and white blood cells in the blood.

This counting process is carried out by counting the proteins called hemoglobin. Having more or less hemoglobin has different meanings.

What is Hemoglobin?

Hemoglobin is a protein in the structure of red blood cells in the blood. The amount of red blood cells in the blood is also determined by counting this protein. There are four different types of protein and iron ions in hemoglobin. The main task of hemoglobin in the body is to carry the oxygen taken from the lungs in the blood and transfer it to other cells. Hemoglobin does this task thanks to the iron ion.

Hemoglobin also ensures the removal of carbon dioxide, which enters the blood as an output of the oxygen used for energy production, from the body. While it carries oxygen to the cells, it also takes carbon dioxide to the lungs. From here, it is thrown out of the body.

What is Low Hemoglobin and How Important is it?

Hemoglobin protein is important because it shows the amount of red blood cells, namely red blood cells, in the blood. A low or high hemoglobin count may indicate certain health problems. Health problems often occur due to low hemoglobin.

It is not correct to take a single reference to say that the hemoglobin amount of the person is low in the hemoglobin count. Since the amount of hemoglobin affects people in conditions such as age and gender, the reference value that should be for everyone may differ. For this reason, it is extremely important to be examined by a specialist physician while evaluating the amount of hemoglobin.

What are the Causes of Low Hemoglobin?

Low hemoglobin is not observed in every person at every age. This situation usually emerges as a situation where some people have problems at certain periods. Of course, this situation may differ in congenital diseases. For example, in diseases such as Mediterranean anemia, the blood values ​​of the person may be defective from the day of birth. Causes of low hemoglobin seen outside of congenital conditions like this:

• Iron Deficiency: Iron deficiency is perhaps one of the most common problems among the public. This situation also causes the development of the condition known as anemia among the people. The main cause of iron deficiency is the inability to supplement with adequate amounts of iron from the outside.
• Due to Chronic Disease: As a result of certain chronic diseases observed in the body, the structure of the iron ion may deteriorate and this may cause the production of hemoglobin to be adversely affected.
• Structural Problems in Hemoglobin: In diseases such as Mediterranean anemia, hemoglobin cannot be produced properly from birth. Such situations cause insufficient amount of hemoglobin to be detected in the complete blood count.
• Conditions of Blood Loss: In some cases, sudden and large amount of blood loss may cause a decrease in the hemoglobin value. Surgical interventions can be given as an example of these situations.