DO YOU KNOW THAT HAEMOGLOBIN LEVEL COULD AFFECT YOUR HEALTH?

 WHAT DOES LOW HAEMOGLOBIN LEVEL MEANS?

A low haemoglobin level is referred to as anemia or low red blood count. There are many reasons (causes) for anemia.

Some of the more common causes of anemia are:

• loss of blood (traumatic injury, surgery, bleeding,colon cancer, or stomach ulcer)

• nutritional deficiency (iron, vitamin B12, folate)

• bone marrow problems(replacement of bone marrow by cancer),

• suppression by red blood cell synthesis bychemotherapy drugs

• abnormal hemoglobin structure (sickle cell anemia or thalassemia).

• Kidney failure

WHAT DOES HIGH HAEMOGLOBIN LEVEL MEANS?

                                   

Higher than normal hemoglobin levels can be seen in people living at high altitudes and in people who smoke. Dehydration produces a falsely high hemoglobin measurement that disappears when the proper fluid balance is restored.

Some other infrequent causes are high hemoglobin levels are:

• advanced lung disease (for example, emphysema)

• certain tumors

• a disorder of the bone marrow known as polycytemia,rubra vera

• abuse of the drug erythropoietin by athletes for blood doping purposes (increasing the amount of oxygen available to the body by chemically raising the production of red blood cells).

HOW CAN A PERSON INCREASE HIS OR HER HAEMOGLOBIN LEVELS? 

There are a number of ways to increase hemoglobin levels. 

Methods to increase hemoglobin levels are varied and their use depends on the underlying problems. Some of the ways to increase hemoglobin include:

• Transfusing red blood cells

• Receiving erythropoietin (a hormone used to stimulate red blood cell production in individuals with decreased red blood cell production or increased red cell destruction)

• Taking iron supplements

• Increasing the intake of iron-rich foods (eggs, spinach, artichokes, beans, lean meats, and seafood) and foods rich in cofactors (such as vitamin B6,folic acid, vitamin B12, and vitamin C) important for maintaining normal hemoglobin levels. Such foods include fish, vegetables, nuts, cereals, peas, and citrus fruits.

Precaution

Do not take iron supplements or other treatments for low haemoglobin levels without discussing with their physician because the side effects of these treatments can cause additional problems. The iron supplements should keep away from children to avoid iron poisoning.

REFERENCES

•  Charles Patrick Davis,MD,PhD(2/18/2021).Hemoglobin: Normal, High, Low Levels and Causes.MedicineNet.Retrieved October 28,2021,from https://www.medicinenet.com/hemoglobin/article.htm