Typical hemoglobin levels vary depending on a number of individual factors. Having high or low levels can indicate certain medical conditions, such as diseases affecting the heart and kidneys.
What is hemoglobin?
Hemoglobin, often abbreviated as Hgb, is a protein found in red blood cells that carries iron. This iron is responsible for holding oxygen, making hemoglobin vital for healthy blood function. Insufficient hemoglobin in your blood results in inadequate oxygen supply to your cells.
Doctors determine your hemoglobin level by analyzing a sample of your blood. A variety of factors affect your hemoglobin levels, including your:
- age
- gender
- medical history
Keep reading to learn more about what’s considered a normal, high, and low hemoglobin level.
What’s a normal hemoglobin level?
Adults
In adults, the average hemoglobin level is slightly higher for men than it is for women. It’s measured in grams per deciliter (g/dL) of blood.
Older adults also tend to have lower hemoglobin levels. This may be due to several factors, including
- lower iron levels due to chronic inflammation or poor nutrition
- medication side effects
- high rates of chronic diseases, such as kidney disease
Children
Infants tend to have higher average hemoglobin levels than adults. This is because they have higher oxygen levels in the womb and need more red blood cells to transport the oxygen. But this level starts to go down after several weeks.
What causes high hemoglobin levels?
High hemoglobin levels generally accompany high red blood cell counts. Remember, hemoglobin is found in red blood cells, so the higher your red blood cell count, the higher your hemoglobin level and vice versa.
A high red blood cell count and hemoglobin level can indicate several things, including:
- Congenital heart disease. This condition can make it hard for your heart to effectively pump blood and deliver oxygen throughout your body. In response, your body sometimes produces additional red blood cells.
- Dehydration. Not having enough fluid can cause red blood cell counts to appear higher because there isn’t as much fluid to balance them.
- Kidney tumours. Some kidney tumours stimulate your kidneys to make excess erythropoietin, a hormone that stimulates red blood cell production.
- Lung disease. If your lungs aren’t working effectively, your body may try to produce more red blood cells to help carry oxygen.
- Polycythemia vera. This condition causes your body to produce extra red blood cells.
Risk factors
You may also be more likely to have high hemoglobin levels if you:
- have a family history of disorders that affect red blood cell counts, such as altered oxygen sensing
- live at a high altitude
- recently received a blood transfusion
- smoking
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What are low hemoglobin levels?
A low hemoglobin level is usually seen with low red blood cell counts.
Some medical conditions that can cause this include:
- Bone marrow disorders. These conditions, such as leukemia, lymphoma, or aplastic anemia, can all cause low red blood cell counts.
- Kidney failure. When your kidneys aren’t functioning properly, they don’t produce enough of the hormone erythropoietin that stimulates red blood cell production.
- Uterine fibroids. These are tumors that usually aren’t cancerous, but they can cause significant bleeding, leading to lower red blood cell counts.
- Conditions that destroy red blood cells. These include sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, G6PD deficiency, and hereditary spherocytosis.
Risk factors
You may also be more likely to have low levels if you:
- have a condition that causes chronic bleeding, such as gastric ulcers, colon polyps, or heavy menstrual periods
- have a folate, iron, or vitamin B-12 deficiency
- are pregnant
- were involved in a traumatic accident, such as a car accident
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What about hemoglobin A1c?
During blood work, you might also receive results for HbA1c, a test that measures the amount of glucose attached t your blood.
Doctors commonly order this test for individuals with diabetes as it provides a clearer indication of their average blood glucose levels over 2 to 4 months. Glucose, or blood sugar, circulates in your bloodstream and attaches to proteins.
Higher levels of glycated proteins are more likely with increased blood glucose. The glucose remains attached for approximately 120 days. A high HbA1c level signifies elevated blood sugar levels over several months.
For most individuals with diabetes, maintaining an HbA1c level of 7 percent or lower is recommended. Those without diabetes typically have HbA1c levels of around 5.7 percent. If you have diabetes and an elevated HbA1c level, medication adjustments may be necessary.
The bottom line
Hemoglobin levels can vary by gender, age, and medical condition. A high or low hemoglobin level can indicate a variety of things, but some people just have naturally higher or lower levels.
Your doctor will look at your results in the context of your overall health to determine whether your levels indicate an underlying condition.