When a laboratory study of a blood test, the doctor often concludes "increased hemoglobin in the blood." What does this mean, is it dangerous to increase hemoglobin and how to normalize its level? All these questions worry patients and cause worries and unreasonable fears.
What is hemoglobin
Hemoglobin is a complex heme, consisting of protein and iron-containing parts. The functions of hemoglobin are to transport oxygen to organs and tissues and remove carbon dioxide compounds from them.
With insufficient amount of hemoglobin in the blood, anemia develops. This contributes to a decrease in the activity of the body and the deterioration of the work of all vital systems. At the same time, excess hemoglobin is fraught with blood clots.
As a result of this, vascular blockage occurs, blood clots form and difficulties arise in transporting oxygen. To determine the severity of the pathological process and the features of its treatment, it is necessary to knownorms of hemoglobin indicators.
Hemoglobin age norms
Normal hemoglobin levels vary with age and sex of the patient. In men, this figure is slightly lower than in women. They are characterized by the following norms.
| Age | Norm, g/l |
| 3 months | 114 |
| 6 months | 117 |
| 1 year | 116 |
| 3 years | 118 |
| Teens and mature men | 135-160 |
Since the function of hemoglobin is to transport oxygen, its rate is very important for the proper functioning of the body. For female patients, the table looks like this.
| Age | Norm, g/l |
| 3 months | 115 |
| 6 months | 119 |
| 1 year | 118 |
| 3 years | 120 |
| Teens and mature women | 120-140 |
When normal values increase by 10 or more units, it is necessary to prescribe therapeutic therapy and a diet that allows you to restore balance in the blood. neglectown he alth can cause the development of many complications and pathologies that could have been avoided with timely diagnosis and treatment.
Reasons for increased hemoglobin levels
Why does a person have increased hemoglobin in the blood? What does it mean? High hemoglobin itself is not a disease - it is only a symptom that accompanies many pathological processes occurring in the body. An increase in the indicator is typical for:
- oncological diseases;
- intestinal obstruction;
- respiratory failure;
- cardiovascular insufficiency;
- congenital malformations in the development of the heart;
- fibrosis (accumulation of dense tissue in the lungs);
- a sharp increase in the number of red blood cells (for example, during a blood transfusion);
- hormonal disorders that prevent the formation of red blood cells.
In addition to diseases, high hemoglobin levels in the blood can be a consequence of lifestyle. For people living in the mountains, high hemoglobin is the norm. This phenomenon is associated with a lack of oxygen in the air, so the body requires more iron-containing protein for sufficient oxygen supply to tissues and organs.
Smokers also increased this figure. Long-term smoking causes a lack of oxygen in the tissues, which is compensated by a high level of hemoglobin in the blood.
Food also plays a very important role. Folic acid and vitamin B12 deficiencies cause an increase inthe amount of hemoglobin. To maintain balance in the body, you need to lead a he althy lifestyle, eat well, exercise and walk regularly in the fresh air.
Symptoms of high hemoglobin
The first symptoms of high hemoglobin levels to look out for are:
- drowsy;
- fatigue;
- loss of appetite;
- pallor or redness of the skin;
- disorders in the digestive tract;
- disruption of the genitourinary system;
- decrease in visual acuity;
- high blood pressure (for no reason);
- joint ache.
When such symptoms are detected, it is necessary to take a blood test, and hemoglobin will be among the main indicators. According to the age and gender of the patient, the hematologist will be able to navigate how to build a therapy regimen, if necessary, prescribe the correct medication and a maintenance diet to reduce the level of a complex protein in the blood.
What is the danger of increasing hemoglobin
Most people do not worry about high hemoglobin in the blood. What does it mean? People do not pay attention to the state of their he alth, do not know the symptoms and reasons for the increase in this indicator, and expose themselves to danger, which manifests itself in the development of complications of existing diseases and the development of new pathologies.
- Blood thickening - causes the formation of blood clots, blockage of blood vessels, disrupts normal transportoxygen. If left untreated, thrombophlebitis (growths of blood clots on the vessels) develops, and then thromboembolism, causing disruption of the functioning of vital organs due to the attachment of blood clots to them.
- High hemoglobin levels in pregnant women can cause fetal growth retardation, mental confusion and lack of cognitive ability.
- High blood viscosity, caused by excessive amounts of hemoglobin in the blood, contributes to heart attacks and strokes.
- Irregularity in the composition of the blood causes a change in the shape of red blood cells. This pathology is called sickle anemia because the red blood cells take the shape of a crescent and cannot do their job (attach hemoglobin and transport it throughout the body).
- High hemoglobin also affects the general condition of the body, causing drowsiness, weakness, lack of appetite, fatigue, dizziness and decreased performance.
If such a condition has not been diagnosed and treated for a long time, the consequences can be very serious for the functioning of the whole organism.
How to lower hemoglobin
High hemoglobin levels, not associated with pathological processes in the body, can be affected by blood-thinning drugs (Aspirin, Cardiomagnyl, Curantil, Trental) and a certain balanced diet.
With high hemoglobin, you must adhere to the following nutritional rules:
- eliminate red fruits and vegetables (especially beets) from the diet;
- exclude dry mushrooms, offal (liver, kidney, heart);
- drink plenty of water - it is important to take into account the norm (40 ml / 1 kg of human weight), this is necessary to prevent unnecessary stress on the heart;
- reduce hemoglobin levels allow dairy products, as they interfere with the absorption of iron.
In rare cases, the option of donation or erythrophoresis (reducing the number of red blood cells in the blood stream by removing them) can be resorted to.
High hemoglobin in women
High hemoglobin in pregnant women is a very dangerous phenomenon. Violation of the norm indicates that the mother has pathologies in the work of the kidneys and liver, as well as the presence of violations in the development of the child.
A woman should always adhere to proper nutrition, use vitamin complexes, spend enough time outdoors and lead an active lifestyle. In this case, high hemoglobin will quickly return to normal and will not cause dangerous disturbances in the body.
High hemoglobin in men
In men, the cause of this pathology is often bad habits, especially smoking. To prevent the development of complications, it is necessary to take a blood test at the first suspicion of elevated hemoglobin in the blood. What does it mean? If you experience drowsiness, fatigue, frequent or difficult urination, and redness of the skin, it is important to see a doctor.
Hematologist will help to establish a daily routine, talk about the need for a balanced diet, physical activity and the rejection of addictions that adversely affect the functioning of all vital systems.
High hemoglobin in children
In newborns, the level of hemoglobin in the blood is always elevated. This is not a pathology, as it is associated with physiological processes. As you grow older, the indicator should decrease and return to normal. If this does not happen, it is necessary to exclude the presence of congenital heart defects, blood diseases and oncology.
Knowing what hemoglobin means for the human body, you can pay attention to the onset of symptoms in time and seek medical help. With timely diagnosis and treatment, many complications and diseases can be avoided.
