Hemoglobin is a protein in your red blood cells. Your red blood cells carry oxygen throughout your body. If you have a condition that affects your body’s ability to make red blood cells, your hemoglobin levels may drop. Low hemoglobin levels may be a symptom of several conditions, including different kinds of anemia and cancer. Show
OverviewWhat is low hemoglobin?Hemoglobin is a protein in your red blood cells. Your red blood cells carry oxygen throughout your body. Oxygen powers your cells and gives you energy. A low hemoglobin level may be a sign of several conditions, including different kinds of anemia and cancer. What happens when hemoglobin is low?If a disease or condition affects your body’s ability to produce red blood cells, your hemoglobin levels may drop. When your hemoglobin level is low, it means your body isn’t getting enough oxygen, making you feel very tired and weak. At what level is hemoglobin dangerously low?Normal hemoglobin levels are different for men and women. For men, a normal level ranges between 14.0 grams per deciliter (gm/dL) and 17.5 gm/dL. For women, a normal level ranges between 12.3 gm/dL and 15.3 gm/dL. A severe low hemoglobin level for men is 13.5 gm/dL or lower. For women, a severe low hemoglobin level is 12 gm/dL. What tests do healthcare providers use to diagnose low hemoglobin?Healthcare providers diagnose low hemoglobin by taking samples of your blood and measuring the amount of hemoglobin in it. This is a hemoglobin test. They may also analyze different types of hemoglobin in your red blood cells, or hemoglobin electrophoresis. Possible CausesWhat causes hemoglobin levels to go low?Several factors affect hemoglobin levels:
What affects red blood cell production?Your bone marrow produces red blood cells. Diseases, conditions and other factors that affect red blood cell production include:
What affects red blood cell lifespan?Your bone marrow constantly produces red blood cells. Red blood cells live about 120 days in your bloodstream. Some factors that affect that lifespan include:
Care and TreatmentHow do you fix low hemoglobin?Healthcare providers treat low hemoglobin by diagnosing the underlying cause. For example, if your hemoglobin levels are low, your healthcare provider may do tests that reveal you have iron-deficiency anemia. If that’s your situation, they’ll treat your anemia with supplements. They may recommend you try to follow an iron-rich diet. In most cases, treating the underlying cause of anemia will bring the hemoglobin level up. What can I do at home to treat low hemoglobin?Many things can cause low hemoglobin, and most of the time you can’t manage low hemoglobin on your own. But eating a vitamin-rich diet can help maintain your red blood cells. Generally speaking, a balanced diet with a focus on important nutrients is the best way to maintain healthy red blood cells and hemoglobin. Here are some suggestions:
When to Call the DoctorWhen should I call my healthcare provider?If you have a disease or condition that affects your hemoglobin levels, you should call your healthcare provider anytime your symptoms worsen. A note from Cleveland Clinic If you have blood test results that show your hemoglobin level is lower than normal, it means you have fewer red blood cells doing essential work — that is, carrying oxygen throughout your body. A low hemoglobin level may not be a cause for alarm. Many things affect hemoglobin levels. If your test results show low hemoglobin levels, your healthcare provider will explain why you have this symptom, what it means and how it will be treated. Get useful, helpful and relevant health + wellness information
enews More health news + infoAt what level is hemoglobin dangerously low?A severe low hemoglobin level for men is 13.5 gm/dL or lower. For women, a severe low hemoglobin level is 12 gm/dL.
What level of hemoglobin requires a blood transfusion?A normal hemoglobin level is about 12 to 18 g/dL.
A red blood cell transfusion may be suggested if it drops below 8 g/dL. Whether you need a transfusion for anemia depends on many factors, such as how long it took for the anemia to develop and how well your body is able to cope with it.
How long can you survive with low hemoglobin?Individuals with a Hb level of 2.0 g/dL or less had on median 1.0 (interquartile range, 0.5-1.5) day from their lowest Hb to death while individuals with their lowest Hb ranging between 4.1 and 5.0 g/dL had on median 11 (interquartile range, 1-23) days from their lowest Hb to death.
What happens when your hemoglobin is critically low?When you're anemic your heart pumps more blood to make up for the lack of oxygen in the blood. This can lead to an enlarged heart or heart failure. Death. Some inherited anemias, such as sickle cell anemia, can lead to life-threatening complications.
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