Medical References

Diseases & Conditions

Women's Health

Mental Health

Men's Health

Healthy Choice News

Site Map Links

Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
Read more health news

Serum Hemoglobin - Hemoglobin

Results and Values

What do the test results mean?

Age, sex, and other factors cause normal ranges for hemoglobin to vary. Generally, healthy test ranges are:

newborns - 14 to 24 grams of hemoglobin per deciliter of blood (g/dl)

children 6 months to 6 years -- 9.5-14 g/dl

children 6 to 18 years - 10 to 15.5 g/dl

men 18 or older - 14 to 18 g/dl

women 18 or older -12 to 16 g/dl

pregnant women -- at least 11 g/dl

Low values of hemoglobin generally mean that a person has a low red blood cell count, which is also called anemia. Anemia has many possible causes. Common causes include:

excessive menstrual bleeding in women

gastrointestinal bleeding, such as that from bleeding peptic ulcers and colon cancer

malnutrition

increased nutritional needs, which occurs during rapid growth periods of childhood and in pregnancy

inherited causes, such as sickle cell disease, a condition that causes abnormally shaped red blood cells

Increased hemoglobin levels can occur for several reasons. Common causes include:

dehydration, which causes a temporary increase in hemoglobin that goes away once someone becomes re-hydrated

chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, such as emphysema, which is usually due to smoking cigarettes

blood cancer, such as a cancer called polycythemia vera

Depending on the results of this test and the suspected cause of the results, the healthcare provider may suggest a treatment or further tests.

Home • Sitemap • Contact Us • Advertising • Press Room • Give Us Your Feedback • Read Our Terms & Conditions and Our Disclaimer • Privacy Statement