lennemagdalene

· 13 Nov 2021

Follow Following

What is Hemoglobin?

#Hemoglobin is a protein molecule found in the blood. It is present in the red blood cells. It facilitates the carriage of oxygen from the lungs to the body tissues. Hemoglobin also carries carbon dioxide from the tissues and cells back to the lungs for excretion. It consists of four protein molecules, which are globulin chains and are all connected. In a mature adult who is also healthy, the hemoglobin molecule contains two alpha globulin chains and two beta globulin chains. This is not usually the case for unborn babies and infants, as their hemoglobin molecules contain two alpha chains and two gamma chains.

As these infants grow to mature, beta chains, which enable them to develop adult hemoglobin, gradually replace their gamma molecules. In every hemoglobin molecule, there is an important compound called porphyrin, which contains iron. This iron is also known as heme. Iron in this compound gives the blood its red color. It is in the heme that we find compounds that help us transport two essential gases, oxygen and carbon dioxide. Apart from the transportation of gases, hemoglobin also plays a key role in maintaining the concave shape of the red blood cells.

How is Hemoglobin Level Determined?
To know how much hemoglobin you have, the levels are measured as a part of the complete blood count (CBC). Let’s say that you’re sick and you visit the hospital. The doctor may ask you for a blood test to determine the type of infection you’re suffering from, right? In analyzing the infection, hemoglobin levels are also determined. The hemoglobin levels are shown as hemoglobin in grams per deciliter of whole blood. The amount of hemoglobin that someone has depends on various factors like:

1. Temperature. A higher temperature is directly linked to the cells working harder. Therefore, it means that they need a higher supply of oxygen to keep them going. So, at higher blood plasma temperatures, the hemoglobin becomes less likely to bind to oxygen and much more likely to unload into the cells of the tissue. People living in hot climatic conditions usually have lower hemoglobin levels.
2. Age. Each age group usually has a different level of hemoglobin. Higher levels are found in young children and the levels decrease as someone grows older.
3. Altitude. The higher someone goes in terms of altitude, the more the red blood cells are needed to provide oxygen. This explains why people who live in areas of high altitudes, like areas with mountains and hills, have lots of red blood cells.
4. Some medical conditions. Diseases like anemia, leukemia, and some types of cancers can reduce the amount of hemoglobin in the body, making someone weaker.
5. The gender of the person also determines the amount of hemoglobin he/she can have. For example, men have a higher level of hemoglobin than women.

What Are the Normal Ranges of Hemoglobin?
New-borns: 17-22 grams per deciliter (gm/dL).
1 week of age: 15-20 mg/dL.
1 month of age: 11-15 mg/dL.
Children: 11-13 mg/dL.
Adult males: 14-18 gm/ dL.
Adult females: 12-16 gm/dL.
Men after middle age: 12.4-14.9 gm/dL.
Women post middle age: 11.7-13.8 gm/dL.
Pregnant women are highly advised of both high and low hemoglobin levels to avoid increased risks of stillbirths and other abnormalities.

What Causes Low Hemoglobin Levels?
Having low hemoglobin is a very common medical diagnosis. In other terms, it is called anemia. Mild and moderate anemia can be resolved by adjusting diet and taking iron supplements. But if the case is severe, hospitalization may be necessary for close monitoring. Low levels can be caused by:
1.    Loss of blood is also known as hemorrhage. People can lose blood through surgery, traumatic injuries, stomach ulcers, and some types of cancers, i.e., colon cancer.
2.    Lack of proper diet. This happens when someone cannot gain nutrients like vitamin B12, folate, and iron.
3.    Diseases of the bone marrow. Red blood cells are usually produced in the bone marrow. So, when bone marrow is attacked by diseases like cancers, it may not produce enough red blood cells, causing a drop in hemoglobin levels.
4.    Kidney failure. The kidney plays a very important role in the production of erythropoietin, a hormone necessary for the production of red blood cells by the bone marrow. When kidney function is impaired, erythropoietin may not be produced, which in return leads to low hemoglobin.
5.    Some diseases of the red blood cells like sickle cell and thalassemia may impair the shape and functions of the red blood cells. This can contribute to the reduction of iron in the body, causing hemoglobin levels to drop.
6.    Some medications like chemotherapy drugs can also affect the red blood cells. These drugs may kill these cells or affect how they’re produced.

What Are the Causes of High Levels of Hemoglobin?
Having elevated hemoglobin levels is not as common as having low levels, but this does not mean it does not happen. Higher than normal hemoglobin levels are so common in people living in high altitudes and in people who smoke. Contrary to what many people think, dehydration does not cause an increase in hemoglobin. Why? Because it produces a false high hemoglobin level that disappears when someone takes adequate amounts of fluids. There are various causes of increased hemoglobin levels and are:
1.    Certain tumors may alter how red blood cells are produced. They may multiply their rate of production and cause excess RBCs in the blood. Too many red blood cells increase the amount of blood that someone has.
2.    Polycythaemia vera is a bone marrow disorder. It is a type of tumor that causes an overproduction of red blood cells and also increases hemoglobin.
3.    Misuse of erythropoietin drugs, also known as Epogen. Athletic people take it to increase the amount of oxygen to help them withstand strenuous exercises. For you to have much oxygen in the body, you must have many red blood cells, right? This is exactly what Epogen does.
4.    Lung infections. Elevated hemoglobin levels because of chronic hypoxia in patients with chronic lung disorders such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD, emphysema, and sleep apnoea are the result of increased production of erythropoietin, which causes increased production of red blood cells.

Conclusion
Hemoglobin is a protein molecule that handles the transportation of oxygen to body tissues and cells. It also facilitates the elimination of carbon dioxide from the body tissues through the lungs. Age, gender, temperature, altitude, and other associated factors affect hemoglobin levels. Having low levels of hemoglobin causes anemia, a condition characterized by weakness, difficulty in breathing, and tiredness. When the hemoglobin becomes too high, it causes some conditions like polycythemia vera, which can be deadly. Things like cancers, nutritional imbalance, and excessive bleeding can cause low hemoglobin levels. Whether high or low, hemoglobin levels can be corrected using modern medicine and thanks to technology for helping humanity achieve that, although they may not cure some hemoglobin issues like sickle cell anemia. Doctors can do various interventions to help patients live normal lives just like other people.