Hemoglobin - a protein that is found in red blood cells (erythrocytes). It carries oxygen to the cells of the body and takes them carbon dioxide. What is the rate of hemoglobin in women?

What is a normal hemoglobin level

The hemoglobin level is measured in grams per deciliter, which is equal to one hundred milliliters deciliter. The normal level of hemoglobin depends on the age and in adults - from the floor. The rate of hemoglobin levels for women - from 12 to 16 g / dl and in women older than middle age - from 11, 7 to 13 8 g / dL. These figures may vary slightly in different laboratories. Some laboratories do not distinguish between normal levels of hemoglobin in adults and in people older than middle age.

The rate of hemoglobin in pregnant women - 11-12 g / dl. During pregnancy, it is recommended to avoid both high and low hemoglobin levels, to avoid the risk of stillbirth (at elevated hemoglobin) and preterm birth Premature birth - Recognize the signals of the body in time   or having a baby with low birth weight (low hemoglobin).

Critical values ​​of hemoglobin levels:

• The hemoglobin level of less than 5 g / dl can lead to heart failure.
• The hemoglobin level above 20 g / dL causes blockage of the capillaries due hemoconcentration.

What does a low hemoglobin level

A low hemoglobin level is called anemia. The number of red blood cells, which is below the norm, this anemia and hemoglobin levels reflect this amount. There are many causes of anemia. Some of the most common include:

• blood loss (due to injury, surgery, bleeding colon cancer or stomach ulcers);
• deficiency of nutrients (iron, vitamin Vitamins for everyone   B12, folate);
• bone marrow problems (e.g., due to cancer);
• suppression of hematopoiesis because of drugs for chemotherapy;
• renal insufficiency;
• abnormal structure of the hemoglobin (sickle cell anemia or thalassemia).

Loss of blood and bone marrow suppression reduces the overall level of red blood cells and thus reduces the overall level of hemoglobin. The hemoglobin level is also reduced in patients with an abnormal type of hemoglobin. Red blood cells with abnormal hemoglobin types are often fragile and easily damaged in the vascular system.

Thalassemia - a recessive hereditary haemoglobinopathies. It occurs due to the inability to produce a sufficient amount of globin molecules. Pregnancy in women with thalassemia can occur with or without complications, depending on the severity of the disease form.

When sickle hemoglobin is abnormal form known as sickle hemoglobin. Sickle hemoglobin of red blood cells creates irregular shape which are sealed vessels. In pregnancy, sickle cell anemia can cause miscarriage Miscarriage - is more common than you think   or premature birth and may develop severe anemia. Pregnancy must occur under the careful supervision of a doctor.

When iron deficiency anemia red blood cell count is normal but the hemoglobin level is low. In general, women should get more iron from the diet than men, because of the regular loss of iron during menstruation. During pregnancy the need for iron increases to produce more hemoglobin. If a woman becomes pregnant when iron stores in the body are small, it is at risk of severe anemia. Regular tests for hemoglobin - an important part of monitoring of pregnant women. During the third trimester of pregnancy develops "physiological anemia of pregnant women." This is a normal drop in hemoglobin level is due to the increase in plasma volume.

Pregnant women with iron deficiency anemia should receive daily one-two hundred milligrams of iron, at least three months to replenish iron stores. They should also be given advice on the optimal absorption of iron by the body.

What is the highest level of hemoglobin

Elevated levels of hemoglobin occurs under any conditions where the number of red blood cells in circulation is greater than normal. Examples of such conditions associated with increasing levels of hemoglobin are polycythemia vera, severe burns, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic heart failure.

The hemoglobin level of greater than normal, common in people living at high altitudes, and smokers.

Some rare causes high hemoglobin levels are:

• serious pulmonary disease (e.g., emphysema);
• certain tumors;
• violation of the bone marrow, known as polycythemia vera;
• overdose of the drug erythropoietin (Epogen) athletes for the purpose of doping (increases the amount of oxygen in the body by increasing the production of chemical erythrocytes).

  

The rate of glycated hemoglobin in women

Glycosylated hemoglobin - hemoglobin is coupled with glucose. Glycosylated hemoglobin check, to control blood sugar levels over a long period of diabetes. Glikemirovannogo hemoglobin level is determined as a percentage of total blood hemoglobin. Because women total hemoglobin lower than men, and glikemirovannogo hemoglobin value will be lower.

The level of glycated hemoglobin increases in red blood cells in a person who is poorly controlled blood sugar levels in diabetes. Since glucose is connected to hemoglobin for the life of red blood cells (usually about four months), the level of glycated hemoglobin reflects the average blood glucose over the past three months.

Diabetics rarely achieve such levels, but tight control aims to come close to this value. The level of less than 9% points to poor control and a level above 12% indicates a very poor control. It is usually recommended to measure the level of glycated hemoglobin in diabetes every three to six months.

Studies show that diabetics who support the level of glycated hemoglobin close to 7%, have a much higher chance to avoid or delay complications associated with diabetes that affect the eyes, kidneys and nerves than people with a level of 8% or higher. If the level is below 8%, almost always required changes in treatment. Any reduction of glycated hemoglobin improves the chances of a man on it to stay healthy. Glycosylated hemoglobin is also known as glycohemoglobin and hemoglobin A1C.