Hemoglobin Test

Hemoglobin is the oxygen carrying molecule present in red blood cells. Hemoglobin is a metalloprotein that forms an important part of red blood cells. Hemoglobin levels are checked for when a person shows symptoms like shortness of breath, pallor, etc. Any kind of deficiency in the levels of hemoglobin leads to compromised levels of oxygen in the blood. This is the reason why doing hemoglobin tests to check for normal hemoglobin levels is important. Given below are details regarding how to carry out a hemoglobin test at home and how to interpret the results obtained.

What is Hemoglobin Test
Hemoglobin is one of the most common blood tests done. This test is normally done as a part of a complete blood count. There are many ways of measuring hemoglobin, most of which are done by automated machines nowadays. Red blood cells are broken down to release the hemoglobin, which is then measured. Free hemoglobin is exposed to a chemical containing cyanide, which binds tightly with the hemoglobin molecule to form cyanomethemoglobin. By shining light through the solution and by measuring how much light is absorbed, the amount of hemoglobin can be measured.

Hemoglobin Test for Diabetes
When a person's diabetes is not controlled, then there is excess of sugar in the blood. This sugar builds up in the blood and combines with the hemoglobin to become glycated. Therefore, the average amount of sugar in the blood can be determined by doing a hemoglobin A1c level test. If the glucose levels have been high over the last few recent weeks, the hemoglobin A1c test will also be higher. The levels of hemoglobin A1c will reflect the last several weeks of sugar levels in the blood, typically over a period of 120 days, which is the normal life span of a red blood cell.

Non-diabetics normally have hemoglobin A1c levels between 4 to 6%. Due to the complications involved with diabetes, it is recommended that hemoglobin A1c levels should be less than 7%. Individuals with glycated hemoglobin levels higher than 7% are at a high risk of developing complications related to diabetes, like diabetic neuropathy and diabetic retinopathy. Thus, diabetics should ideally get this test done every three months so as to check if their blood sugar levels are in control. However, diabetics who are also anemic may get abnormal test results due to the low hemoglobin available for the sugar to bind with. Other conditions which may affect the readings of hemoglobin A1c test results include presence of excess vitamin C, E and cholesterol. Liver and kidney diseases may also adversely affect the test results of the hemoglobin A1c test.

Test Results

Age Group	Hemoglobin Count (gm/dl)
Normal Hemoglobin Levels in Newborn Babies	17 - 22
Normal Hemoglobin Levels in Children	11 - 13
Normal Hemoglobin Levels in Adults (Male)	14 - 18
Normal Hemoglobin Levels in Adults (Female)	12 - 16
Normal Hemoglobin Levels in Elderly (Male)	12.4 - 14.9
Normal Hemoglobin Levels in Elderly (Female)	11.7 - 13.8

Interpretation of Test Results
If the hemoglobin is slightly higher than normal, then it is considered to be a slight variation, as at times, people may have physiologic high levels of hemoglobin. People who live at high altitudes tend to have higher levels of hemoglobin. Acute dehydration can also land a person with high levels of hemoglobin.

Low hemoglobin levels indicate either low levels of red blood cells or a deficiency of iron in the body. This would mean the person is anemic and he may have a tendency to have low levels of oxygen in the body. In such cases, the person will have to take measures to raise his hemoglobin levels to prevent any complications and problem related to low hemoglobin levels.

Hemoglobin tests are commonly performed as routine tests and are an important indicator of the state of red blood cells in the body. Hence, everyone should regularly get such tests done so as track any kind of problem with the red blood cells or hemoglobin as early as possible, so as to avoid any further complications.