my hemoglobin count is 90

my hemoglobin count is 90

Low hemoglobin levels usually indicate that a person has anemia. For instance; if my hemoglobin count is 90, it means I have anemia which could be due to:

– a diet low in iron

– recent gastrointestinal surgery has led the body to poorly absorb iron

– ongoing bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract from colon cancer or an ulcer

– bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract caused by the overuse of aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

– donating a lot of blood

– recent major changes in the body, such as a pregnancy or, in children, a growth spurt (5)

So a slightly low hemoglobin count isn’t always a sign of illness; it can be normal for some people. Women with menstrual periods and pregnant women commonly have low Hb counts (6). If my hemoglobin count is 90, special conditions should also be considered.

* You can enter your cbc test results online and get a personalized interpretation, including your condition in each test, definition, reasons for increased or decreased results, dietary and lifestyle recommendations, potential treatments, drug interactions, etc.

Hemoglobin (Hb)

Hemoglobin (Hb), in the normal adult, is a protein whose main function is to transport oxygen from the lungs to tissues and transport carbon dioxide from tissues to the lung (1).

Normal hemoglobin levels differ depending on several factors, including sex at birth, as well as hormonal supplementation. The normal ranges based on up-to-date are:

·         Men                                                   140 to 175  g/L

·         Women                                             123 to 153

·         6 months to <2 years                      110 to 135

·         2-6 years                                           110 to 137

·         6-12 years                                         112 to 145

·         12 to <18 years:

Female                                114 to 147

Male                                    124 to 164 (2,7)

Abnormal results

High hemoglobin levels: It could signal a rare blood disorder called polycythemia. Polycythemia is a condition where the bone marrow makes too many red blood cells, causing the blood to be thicker than usual. This can put you at risk for life-threatening blood clots, bleeding, and certain blood cancers. It is, therefore, important to have frequent follow-ups (3,4).

References:

1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B0123694000001411
2. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/image?imageKey=PEDS%2F101544
3. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/17705-low-hemoglobin
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557660/
5. https://www.verywellhealth.com/low-hemoglobin-5217077
6. https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/low-hemoglobin/basics/causes/sym-20050760
7. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/image?imageKey=HEME%2F76236