A haemoglobin test measures the amount of haemoglobin present in the blood. Hemoglobin is a protein found in the blood which is responsible for binding with oxygen and transporting it to the different organs of the body. Constant oxygen supply is the essence of our life, and it is solely haemoglobin that combines with oxygen to form oxy-haemoglobin that helps carry it through blood.
A haemoglobin test is crucial to detect diseases like anaemia and polycythemia vera. Blood-related conditions are dangerous if left untreated for a long time. Regular testing helps detect them swiftly and treat them accordingly.
The test involves getting a drop of blood by a small prick in your finger. The drop is enough to measure hemoglobin levels in your body, as it is uniform throughout. An instant device is widely popular in the market and can be bought by all patients to monitor their levels regularly.
Why should you get a test?
There are three primary reasons for getting a haemoglobin test. These are described below:
- For a regular medical check-up
A medical check-up at least once every six months helps you assess your medical condition and detect abnormalities. When you ask for a body check-up, a blood test for haemoglobin is constantly prescribed to test for blood diseases like anaemia.
- To diagnose a disease
When you are experiencing symptoms like dizziness, weakness and shortness of breath, doctors recommend a haemoglobin test to check for lower or higher levels, which can indicate anaemia or polycythemia vera, respectively.
- To monitor an existing condition
When you’re diagnosed with an illness, frequent tests help monitor the changes in the body. Doctors prescribe tests to monitor changes to alter medicine dosage. Once diagnosed, especially with deadly issues, it is essential to monitor them rigorously and not let them advance to the next stage. Doctors take tremendous amounts of precautions to help you recover quickly.
The test is straightforward and only involves a prick of a finger. It hurts a little at the moment but is painless. A prick on the heel is recommended for children to reduce their pain and anxiety. A small drop of blood is enough to measure the haemoglobin count. Some devices provide instant readings and can be bought for at-home use.
What are the normal levels?
When you get a haemoglobin test, the normal levels are as follows:
- For women, it is 11.6 to 15 grams per deciliter
- For men, it is 13.2 to 16.6 grams per deciliter
It is important to note that these levels change for children depending on their sex and age. Further, these levels vary with each type of haemoglobin blood test. You can ask doctors from your testing lab for a normal range for the demographic you belong to.
Regular testing helps you assess your condition and prevent deadly illnesses. Any abnormality can be an indicator of a significant underlying condition. Many diseases go unnoticed and are only diagnosed when they have reached their toxic state. This happens mainly because people don’t get frequent health check-ups.
A haemoglobin blood test is very fast and gives you instant results. You can even buy a kit to perform the test yourself at home, making it an easy assessment to make regularly. Detecting blood-related diseases is manageable when you focus on changes in your haemoglobin levels.
What do lower levels imply?
When your haemoglobin test reports a level lower than usual, you have one of the forms of anaemia. This can include several deficiencies which cause their own issues:
- Iron deficiency leads to heart-related abnormalities.
- Vitamin B12 deficiency leads to pernicious anaemia and memory loss.
- Folate deficiency leads to megaloblastic anaemia.
Other diseases include bleeding, leukaemia, hypothyroidism, thalassemia and various kidney and liver diseases. Most of these diseases are chronic and leave permanent damage. It is essential to treat them early to prevent more repercussions.
What do higher levels imply?
When your haemoglobin test reports levels which are higher than the normal range, it may be a result of the following diseases:
- Lung diseases
- Dehydration
- Polycythemia vera
Polycythemia vera is caused due to hyper-production of blood cells by the bone marrow. Smoking frequently, burns, living in higher altitudes and excessive physical exercise are other possibilities which can lead to higher reports. A thorough assessment by a doctor is recommended when your levels are abnormal.
Conclusion
The haemoglobin test is beneficial for detecting blood abnormalities when an individual’s levels aren’t normal. With major chronic and deadly blood diseases, it is imperative to catch them in the bud and nip them to prevent repercussions.
With easy tests and instant results, diagnosed patients are required to get regular tests to monitor the extent of their condition closely. Regular tests also help to diagnose diseases and assess your well-being. Get a test today and stay safe!
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