Causes and Symptoms of High Hemoglobin

Hemoglobin is the protein molecule (oxygen carrier) present in the red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to different body's tissues, and return carbon dioxide from the tissues back to the lungs. Usually, hemoglobin is measured using automated machines, and its measurement is seen as a part of the complete blood count. The level of hemoglobin is expressed as the amount of hemoglobin in grams (gm) per deciliter (dl) of blood. A deciliter is 100 milliliters of blood. Hemoglobin levels depend upon the age and gender of the person. Normal values for children of both genders is 11-13 gm/dl, adult males is 14-18 gm/dl, and adult women is 12-16 gm/dl. Medical opinion of the normal range differs from practice to practice, and is partly dependent on the causes and symptoms of high hemoglobin.

High Hemoglobin Count

Possible Causes

High hemoglobin count differs from high red blood cell count, as each cell may carry the same amount of oxygen. Therefore, it is normal if one has a high hemoglobin count, despite having a low blood count. An elevated hemoglobin count is observed when there is an increased red blood cell production, to compensate for low oxygen in the blood required by the tissues.

• Sometimes, the kidney releases too much erythropoietin, resulting in enhancement of red blood cell production.
• Polycythemia vera, a dysfunctional bone marrow disease, also increases red blood cell production.
• Acute dehydration is also seen as a common cause for high levels of hemoglobin. When the body is dehydrated, it produces high hemoglobin, which normally tends to disappear, when the body is well hydrated.
• Congenital heart disease, heart failure, cor pulmonale and other heart problems, associated with high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs, can also increase hemoglobin levels.
• Lung disease like pulmonary fibrosis, where the tissue scars or thickens between the air sacs in the lungs, also tends to increase hemoglobin levels.
• Emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other lung diseases can also be a cause behind high levels of hemoglobin.
• People living in high altitudes also have high levels of hemoglobin, as high altitude means lesser level of oxygen, resulting in increased production of blood cells.
• Anabolic steroid used to enhance body building, can also stimulate red blood cell production.
• Certain drugs stimulate the production of red blood cells. So if a person is on such medications, his hemoglobin count can reach to higher levels.
• Kidney and liver cancer may also lead to elevated hemoglobin levels in the blood.
• Smoking drops the level of oxygen in the lungs, so to balance out the deficiency, the body raises levels of hemoglobin.

Associated Symptoms

A high hemoglobin count could indicate illness, and the doctor will recommend tests, if one is experiencing either of the following symptoms:

• Impaired Mental Function: Dysfunctional cognition, dizziness, and mental confusion can result from high hemoglobin levels, as oxygen is compromised in the cerebral blood circulation.
• Peripheral Cyanosis: Occurrence of bluish color cast and mucous membranes on the skin, normally occurring on the lips and fingertips.
• Impaired Circulation and Abnormal Clotting: Slow circulation and blood clotting affects the entire body; swelling, sudden numbness, temporary loss of vision or hearing is experienced by some people.

High hemoglobin can also affect the shape of red blood cells, leading to sickle-cell disease. As elevated hemoglobin in the body is usually a symptom of an underlying disease, physicians basically concentrate on treating the disease so that the symptom is automatically taken care of. One must regularly check the level of hemoglobin, and any deviation from normal hemoglobin levels must be discussed with the physician so that timely treatment can be provided.