Normal Hemoglobin Levels

People are always worried whether they have a sufficient hemoglobin count. Why? Because, the hemoglobin in the blood plays a very important role in the daily functioning of the body. So, what is hemoglobin? Hemoglobin is a type of protein, which is present in the blood. We all know that the oxygen we breathe in, is carried to all the cells in the body by the blood. The actual work of carrying the oxygen to the rest of the body is done by hemoglobin. Thus, we can see that hemoglobin is quite a utile substance. Scientifically speaking, hemoglobin is a metalloprotein in the red blood cells and contains iron. Thus, it can be logically inferred that an iron deficiency, will reduce the hemoglobin levels in the body. Before looking over normal hemoglobin levels, let's first find out how hemoglobin levels are measured.

How to Measure Hemoglobin Levels?
These days, several sophisticated machines are available in the market, in which you only need to insert a bit of your blood and they give the full blood report, including your white blood cell and red blood cell counts, your sugar level as well as your hemoglobin level. If you do not have this machine, you can go to a doctor who will be able to measure your hemoglobin count. Hemoglobin (Hb) is measured with a unit called gm/dl. Usually, the number that the doctor gives for hemoglobin states the grams of hemoglobin that are present in a deciliter of a blood sample. So, based on this unit of measurement, here are the normal hemoglobin levels.

What is Normal Hemoglobin Level?
The normal hemoglobin levels vary slightly depending on each age group. So, here's a normal hemoglobin levels chart.

Age Group	Hemoglobin Count (gm/dl)
Normal Hemoglobin Levels in New Born 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

Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of low hemoglobin levels. If your hemoglobin level is low, your cells will not get enough oxygen to fuel their activities and you will feel very tired. When enough oxygen does not reach the cells in the body, the heart has to pump harder than usual, to ensure that adequate amount of oxygen reaches the cells. Hence, if you over-stress the heart for a long time, a person with a low hemoglobin count, risks the chances of heart disease. Other problems associated with lower than normal hemoglobin levels, include shortness of breath, loss of skin color, anemia and fainting.

High hemoglobin levels is not a problem with too many people, unlike low hemoglobin. As discussed earlier, if you have lower than normal hemoglobin levels, then you may face the risk of several diseases. You can have low hemoglobin levels, if you have an iron deficiency. Hence, it is essential that you maintain normal hemoglobin levels. Normal hemoglobin levels will be maintained by consuming a balanced diet, which is rich in vitamin B12, folate and of course, iron. Consume foods that are rich in these nutrients, so that you will not will not suffer from a low hemoglobin level problem. But, if the problem still persists, you can get hemoglobin supplements, which your doctor can prescribe. Read more on how to increase hemoglobin levels and causes and symptoms of high hemoglobin.

So, this was all about the normal hemoglobin levels in blood. The normal hemoglobin count varies with age group, so ensure that you keep the levels as mentioned in the chart above.