Hemoglobin is the active,
oxygen-carrying component of red blood cells.
This protein, when fully oxygenated, is characteristically bright red.
Whenever it loses a significant amount of its' oxygen, it turns a dark
blue color. It takes about 6 grams of desaturated hemoglobin to cause a noticeable
change in color.
Increased in the Presence of:
- Hemoconcentration
- COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
- CHF (congestive heart failure)
- Smokers
- Pre-eclampsia
Decreased in the Presence of:
- Anemia
- Hyperthyroidism
- Chronic liver disease
- Hemorrhage
- Hemolysis:
- Transfusion reaction
- Drug/chemical reaction
- Infection
- Burns
- Mechanical disruption (artificial heart valves)
- Systemic Disease
Special Considerations
- Carbon monoxide binds to the hemoglobin, rendering it incapable of
carrying oxygen, but clinically causes the victims' blood to be
bright, cherry-red
- Smokers typically have elevated hemoglobin levels in response to
chronic, low-grade carbon monoxide poisoning and other mild
respiratory ailments. Because of the carbon monoxide binding, they may
still be functionally anemic, even though their hemoglobin levels look
good.
- Adaptation to high altitudes includes moderate elevation of
hemoglobin.
- During the initial phases of an acute hemorrhage, the hemoglobin
levels generally doesn't change very much. Later, as extracellular
fluid is mobilized and IV fluids are incorporated, there is a
dilutional effect that will lead to a reduced hemoglobin level. This
fall in hemoglobin may take several hours to develop.
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Normal Values*
|
g/dl |
Men |
13.5-17.5 |
Women |
12.0-16.0 |
Pregnancy |
10.5-14.0 |
Newborn |
14.0-20.0 |
*These are general values taken from a variety of
sources. The actual normal values may vary from lab to lab and from one
type of testing protocol to another.
|
Source: Operational Medicine 2001, Health
Care in Military Settings, NAVMED P-5139, May 1, 2001, Bureau
of Medicine and Surgery, Department of the Navy, 2300 E Street NW, Washington,
D.C., 20372-5300
Military Obstetrics & Gynecology
© 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 Medical Education Division,
Brookside Associates, Ltd.
All rights reserved
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