Hemoglobin (Hgb or Hg) is the protein in Red Blood Cells that carry Oxygen.
In a normal patient, Hemoglobin is typically 33% of their Hematocrit (HCT) levels. Drs sometimes use Hematocrit tests for the same purpose of monitoring.
This is one of the more critical blood tests (Hgb) a CAD needs to have run on a reoccurring basis. One of the basic tests to indicate if you are normal, sliding toward becoming anemic, full blown anemic, or so anemic you may require blood transfusions.
You as a CAD need to be well versed in knowing what your Hgb level is. On a periodic basis based on how CAD Cold reactive/sensitive you are. Then knowing what the numbers are telling you.
The chart is only a rough guide. Does it mean at 7.9 a.k.a 79 (Severe Anemic Range) you will be forced to have a blood transfusion? Absolutely not. Other factors come into play. Especially how a particular person “feels”, or their ability to function normally or not.
In fact we have been told a variety off cut-off levels depending on whatever doctor you may be talking too, at the time. While it may vary slightly, generally it is about the same.
Many CADs function relatively fine in that yellow zone. While others are impacted, and know they are starting to have problems.
Your Dr will often order a CBC/RBC and Hemoglobin (Hgb) will be one of the results.
Depending on what part of the world you live in. The results may be measured with different values. This might become confusing when people start making comparisons between results, from one country verses another.
Click this link for Anemia Types and Explanations
In the USA the measurement of g/dL or g/100mL (Conventional or Standard Units) is often used for various blood test results. Also age and gender come into play when referencing “normal” ranges.
Normal Range:
-
- Newborns: 17 to 22 g/dL
- One (1) week of age: 15 to 20 g/dL
- One (1) month of age: 11 to 15 g/dL
- Children: 11 to 13 g/dL
- Adult males: 14 to 18 g/dL
- Adult women: 12 to 16 g/dL
- Men after middle age: 12.4 to 14.9 g/dL
- Women after middle age: 11.7 to 13.8 g/dL
In the UK the measurement of g/L (Si Units) is often used for various blood test results. Also age and gender come into play when referencing “normal” ranges.
We converted the above Conventional or Standard units to Si numbers to correspond with that type of measuring system. So you can see the comparison.
Normal Range:
- Newborns: 170 to 220 g/L
- One (1) week of age: 150 to 200 g/L
- One (1) month of age: 110 to 150 g/L
- Children: 110 to 130 g/L
- Adult males: 140 to 180 g/L
- Adult women: 120 to 160 g/L
- Men after middle age: 124 to 149 g/L
- Women after middle age: 117 to 138 g/L
Some labs may have slightly different ranges of “Low”, “Normal”, or “High” test results.
There are on-line calculators that will make the conversions for you too. But it is basically multiply or divide by 10 depending on which way you are converting.
