Hemoglobin, or Hb, is a component of red blood cells and its main function is to transport oxygen to tissues. Hb is made up of the heme group, which consists of iron, and globin chains, which can be alpha, beta, gamma or delta, resulting in the main types of hemoglobin, such as:
In addition to these main types, there are also Hb Gower I, Gower II and Portland, which are present during embryonic life, with a decrease in concentration and an increase in HbF as they approach birth.
- There are also variant or abnormal hemoglobins that may be present due to structural or functional changes in hemoglobin.
- Which may indicate certain diseases.
- Such as sickle cell anemia and thalassemia.
- For example.
- Therefore.
- It is important to perform hemoglobin electrophoresis.
- In addition to other tests.
- To detect diseases related to hemoglobin synthesis.
- Understand how hemoglobin electrophoresis is performed.
The concentration of hemoglobin in the red blood cell can be measured by a conventional blood test, the entire blood formula, or a rapid measurement device similar to the diabetes device. Depending on the amount of hemoglobin in the red blood cell and the results of other haematological tests, it is possible to know the overall health of the person.
The reference values for hemoglobin are
These values may vary between clinical testing laboratories.
High blood hemoglobin may be due to:
High hemoglobin is characterized by symptoms such as dizziness, bluish skin on the lips and fingertips and, in rare cases, temporary loss of vision and hearing.
Decreased haemoglobin can occur in cases of anemia, cirrhosis, lymphoma, leukemia, hypothyroidism, kidney failure, thalassemia, porphyria and bleeding, for example. In addition, low haemoglobin levels can also occur due to iron and vitamin deficiency, in addition to the use of medicines to treat cancer and AIDS, for example.
Low levels of hemoglobin in the blood can cause symptoms such as frequent fatigue, shortness of breath, and paleness.
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Glycosylated hemoglobin, also called glycosyl hemoglobin, is a diagnostic test that aims to check the amount of medical glucose in the blood for 3 months, being very suitable for diagnosing and monitoring diabetes, as well as assessing its severity.
The normal value of glichemoglobin is 5.7% and diabetes is confirmed when the value is 6.5% or higher. Learn more about glichemoglobin.
The presence of hemoglobin in the urine is called hemoglobinuria and usually indicates kidney infection, malaria or lead poisoning, for example. The identification of hemoglobin in the urine is done by a simple urine test, called SAA.
In addition to hemoglobin, hematocrit values also indicate changes in the blood such as anemia and leukemia. See what hematocrit is and how to understand its outcome.