Hemoglobin (HB, HGB) is often talked about without even knowing, but only suspecting its importance in the human body. , popularly called anemia, or, as a rule, is associated with variations in the values of the red blood pigment. Meanwhile, the range of tasks of hemoglobin is very wide and its fluctuations in one direction or another can cause serious health problems.
Most often, a drop in hemoglobin levels is associated with the development iron deficiency anemia, it often occurs in adolescents, young girls, and during pregnancy, so the main emphasis in this article will be on what is most interesting and understandable to the patient, because the patient will not independently deal with some severe form of hemolytic anemia.
Four hemes + globin
The hemoglobin molecule is a complex protein (chromoprotein) consisting of four hemes and the globin protein. Heme, which has a divalent (Fe 2+) at its center, is responsible for binding oxygen in the lungs. Connecting with oxygen and turning into oxyhemoglobin(HHbO 2), it immediately delivers the component necessary for respiration to the tissues, and from there it takes carbon dioxide, forming carbohemoglobin(HHbCO 2) to transport it to the lungs. Oxyhemoglobin and carbohemoglobin are physiological compounds of hemoglobin.
TO functional responsibilities red blood pigment in the human body also participates in the regulation acid-base balance, because it represents one of the four buffer systems, maintaining a constant pH internal environment at the level of 7.36 – 7.4.
In addition, being localized inside red blood cells, hemoglobin regulates blood viscosity, prevents the release of water from tissues and, thereby, reduces oncotic pressure, and also prevents unauthorized consumption of hemoglobin when blood passes through the kidneys.
Hemoglobin is synthesized in, or rather, in bone marrow, when they are still in the nuclear stage (erythroblasts and).
“Harmful” abilities of hemoglobin
Even better than with oxygen, hemoglobin binds to carbon monoxide(CO), transforming into carboxyhemoglobin(HHbCO), which is a very strong compound that significantly reduces the physiological abilities of red blood pigment. Everyone knows how dangerous it is for a person to stay in a room filled with carbon monoxide. It is enough to inhale only 0.1% CO with the air so that 80% of Hb combines with it and creates a strong bond, leading to the death of the body. It should be noted that smokers are constantly at risk in this regard; in their blood, the content of carboxyhemoglobin is 3 times higher than normal (N - up to 1%), and after a deep puff it is 10 times higher.
formation of oxygenated oxyhemoglobin and “harmful” carboxyhemoglobin that carries carbon monoxide
Very dangerous condition for a hemoglobin molecule, the replacement of divalent iron in heme (Fe 2+) with trivalent (Fe 3+) is considered with the formation of a form hazardous to health – methemoglobin. Methemoglobin sharply inhibits the transfer of oxygen to organs, creating conditions unacceptable for normal life. Methemoglobinemia occurs as a result of poisoning with certain chemicals or is present as a hereditary pathology. It may be associated with the transmission of a defective dominant gene or due to recessive inheritance of a special form of enzymopathy (low activity of an enzyme capable of restoring metHb to normal hemoglobin).
Such a necessary and wonderful in all respects complex protein as hemoglobin, localized in red blood cells, can become very dangerous substance, if for some reason it is released into the plasma. It then becomes very toxic, causing oxygen starvation tissues (hypoxia) and poisoning the body with the products of its decay (iron). In addition, large Hb molecules, which are not destroyed and continue to circulate in the blood, enter the renal tubules, close them and thereby contribute to the development of acute kidney injury (acute renal failure).
Such phenomena usually accompany severe pathological conditions associated with disorders in the blood system:
- Congenital and acquired; (sickle cell, thalassemia, autoimmune, toxic, Moshkovich disease, etc.);
- Transfusion of blood incompatible with group erythrocyte antigens (,).
Violations in structural structure hemoglobin in medicine are called hemoglobinopathies. It's a circle hereditary diseases blood, which includes such well-known pathological conditions as sickle cell anemia and thalassemia.
Limits of normal values
Well, perhaps you don’t need to describe the hemoglobin norm. This is one of the indicators normal values which most people will name without hesitation. However, we would like to remind you that the norm in women is slightly different from that in men, which is understandable from a physiological point of view, because the female sex loses a certain amount of blood every month, and at the same time iron and protein.
In addition, the level of hemoglobin cannot remain unchanged during pregnancy, and although fetal tissue is mainly supplied with oxygen by fetal (HbF) hemoglobin, its level in the mother also decreases slightly (!). This happens because plasma volume increases during pregnancy and the blood thins (in proportion to the decrease in red blood cells). Meanwhile, such a phenomenon is considered physiological state, therefore, there can be no talk of any significant drop in Hb level as normal. Thus, behind normal hemoglobin Depending on gender and age, the following values are taken:
- In women from 115 to 145 g/l (during pregnancy from 110 g/l);
- In men, from 130 to 160 g/l;
- In children, the hemoglobin content is normal, as in adults: before birth, HbA begins to be synthesized, which by the year of life practically replaces the fetal hemoglobin that served the child during intrauterine development.
When considering hemoglobin, one cannot ignore other indicators that indicate whether hemoglobin sufficiently fills red blood cells, or whether they circulate lightly, without Hb.
Indicating the degree of saturation, it can have the following meanings:
- 0.8 – 1.0 (red blood cells are normochromic – no problem);
- Less than 0.8 (hypochromic - anemia);
- More than 1.0 (Er hyperchromic, reason?).
In addition, the saturation of red blood cells with pigment can be indicated by a criterion such as SGE ( average contentHbin 1 red blood cell, which when examined in an automatic analyzer is designated MSN), its norm is from 27 to 31 pg.
However, the hematological analyzer also calculates other parameters that reflect the state of red blood (, average hemoglobin content in erythrocytes, average volume of erythrocytes, indicator of their heterogeneity, etc.).
Why does the hemoglobin level change?
Hemoglobin levels depend to some extent on:
- Season (it decreases in the fall, probably because people harvest and prefer plant foods),
- Diet: vegetarians have lower Hb;
- Climate and terrain (where there is little sun, anemia is more common, and in high mountain areas hemoglobin increases);
- Lifestyle (active sports and intensive physical labor increases hemoglobin over a long period of time);
- Oddly enough, and clean Fresh air, and smoking almost equally affect Hb levels (they increase it). Most likely, in smokers this indicator includes a modified tobacco smoke hemoglobin, so those who like to relax with a cigarette seem to have no reason to be satisfied with the tests, but there is an opportunity to think: what does hemoglobin carry in the red blood cells of a smoker?
There is little hemoglobin
“I have low globin,” this is how a woman put it, having stayed too long in the maternity hospital and explaining the essence of the problem to curious neighbors. Low hemoglobin, in contrast to high hemoglobin, occurs quite often, everyone is actively fighting it, using not only medications containing iron and B vitamins, but also wide range folk remedies and products that increase hemoglobin.
Reduced or low hemoglobin along with a decrease in the number of red blood cells is called anemia(anemia), for men anemia is considered to be a drop in Hb level below 130 g/l, women are considered anemia if the hemoglobin content in red blood cells becomes less than 120 g/l.
In the diagnosis of anemia, hemoglobin plays a decisive role, since red blood cells do not always have time to decrease (in mild forms). It is appropriate to name the main forms of anemia, because this concept is not limited to iron deficiency anemia (IDA). Thus, 6 main groups are most often considered:
- Acute posthemorrhagic anemia, which occurs after massive blood loss. It is clear that the causes of low hemoglobin here will be injuries, wounds, and internal bleeding.
- Iron-deficiency anemia- the most common, since a person does not know how to synthesize iron, but takes it from the outside with foods rich in this element. You may not know or know about IDA for a long time if you do not take a blood test for Hb, Er, CP, etc.
- Sideroachrestic anemia, associated with impaired utilization and synthesis of porphyrin and the accumulation of excess iron as a result. The cause of low hemoglobin in in this case May be hereditary factor(lack of an enzyme that incorporates iron into heme) or acquired pathology resulting from lead intoxication, alcoholism, cutaneous porphyria, or as a result of treatment with anti-tuberculosis drugs (tubazid).
- Megaloblastic, B 12 and/or folate deficiency(Addison-Biermer disease). This form was once called malignant anemia.
- Hemolytic anemia, united common feature– accelerated breakdown of red blood cells, which instead of 3 months live only a month and a half.
- Anemia associated with inhibition of erythroid proliferation, for example, its displacement in tumors, aplastic anemia during treatment with cytostatics or exposure to high doses of radiation.
Conditions with symptoms low hemoglobin quite a lot, each of them has its own mechanism of development and prerequisites for its occurrence, but we will consider the most common reasons and symptoms of this pathology.
Why does the color of blood fade?
The reasons for low hemoglobin, in addition to climate or pregnancy status, can arise from many circumstances:
Obviously, if you list the reasons for low hemoglobin for each form of anemia, and then add them up, there will be much more of them.
How does anemia manifest?
Symptoms indicating low hemoglobin, as well as the reasons: there are general ones, and there are purely specific ones. For example, the deposition of iron in unusual places with sideroachrestic anemia leads to the appearance of various pathologies: (Fe accumulates in the pancreas), cirrhosis of the liver (in the heart), eunuchoidism (in the gonads), but this does not mean that the same troubles will come out with other forms.
Meanwhile, Reduced hemoglobin can be assumed by some signs:
- Pale (sometimes with a yellowish tint), dry skin, scratches that heal poorly.
- Seizures in the corners of the mouth, cracks on the lips, painful tongue.
- Brittle nails, split ends, dull hair.
- Muscle weakness, fatigue, drowsiness, lethargy, depression.
- Decreased concentration, flashing “flies” before the eyes, intolerance to stuffy rooms.
- Drooling at night frequent urge for urination.
- Decreased immunity, poor resistance to seasonal infections.
- Headaches, dizziness, possible fainting.
- Shortness of breath, attacks of rapid heartbeat.
- Enlarged liver and/or spleen (a sign that is not characteristic of all forms).
Clinical manifestations of anemia increase as the process develops and progresses.
Above normal
A high level of hemoglobin can be a sign of blood thickening and risk, a symptom of hematological diseases (polycythemia) and other pathologies:
- Malignant neoplasms, the cells of which are in great need of oxygen;
- Bronchial asthma and cardiopulmonary failure;
- A consequence of burn disease (poisoning by toxins released from dead cells);
- Impaired protein synthesis in the liver, which could interfere with the release of water from the plasma (liver disease);
- Fluid loss due to illness intestinal tract(obstruction, poisoning, infection).
In addition to determining hemoglobin, which is important indicator, in cases of diabetes mellitus, glycated hemoglobin is determined, which is a biochemical study.
It is considered a very important diagnostic criterion based on the property of Hb to create a strong bond with glucose, so its increase may indicate an increase in blood sugar over a long period of time (approximately 3 months - this is the lifespan of red blood cells). The norm of glycated hemoglobin is in the range of 4 – 5.9%. Increased hemoglobin containing glucose indicates the development of complications of diabetes (retinopathy, nephropathy).
WITH increased level It is not recommended to fight hemoglobin levels (with or without sugar) on your own. In the first case, you need to treat diabetes, and in the second, you should look for the cause and try to eliminate it with the help of adequate therapeutic measures, because otherwise you can only worsen the situation.
Little secrets
In order to increase hemoglobin in the blood, you need to know the reason for its drop, just in case. You can consume foods that increase hemoglobin (iron, B vitamins) as much as you like, but if they are not properly absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract, then you may not achieve success. Most likely, first you will have to undergo a set of examinations, including the very scary and unloved FGDS (fibrogastroduodenoscopy) in order to exclude pathology of the stomach and duodenum.
As for products that increase hemoglobin, this also has its own nuances. Many plant sources are rich in iron (pomegranate, apples, mushrooms, seaweed, nuts, legumes, melons), but humans are naturally a carnivore and absorb Fe well with proteins, such as:
- Veal;
- Beef;
- Hot lamb;
- Lean pork (by the way, lard, whatever you season it with, will not add iron);
- Chicken is not very suitable, but goose and turkey can easily pass for foods that increase hemoglobin;
- Chicken eggs are low in iron, but contain a lot of vitamin B 12 and folic acid s;
- There is a lot of iron in the liver, but it is there in the form of hemosiderin, which is practically not absorbed (!), and we should not forget that the liver is a detoxification organ, so you probably shouldn’t get too carried away.
What can help the absorption of necessary substances? Here you really need to look carefully. So that the efforts and money spent on a diet are not in vain, but from home treatment came out in a big way, you need to remember some features dietary nutrition for anemia:
- Ascorbic acid greatly promotes the absorption of iron from other foods, so citrus fruits (oranges, lemons) will complement the diet well and help raise hemoglobin at home.
- Among the side dishes, buckwheat is the best way to increase Hb; millet porridge and cereals, but you don’t need to add butter and margarine, they still contain almost no iron.
- It is not very useful to wash down lunch with strong tea, it inhibits the absorption of iron, but a rosehip drink, cocoa (without milk) or dark chocolate will complement an iron-enriched meal well.
- Cheeses, cottage cheese, and milk should not be consumed simultaneously with foods that increase hemoglobin; they contain calcium, which interferes with the absorption of Fe.
- Small (!) doses of dry red wine help to raise hemoglobin at home (this is prohibited in hospitals), but the main thing here is not to overdo it, because it will have the opposite effect, and even better, go to the pharmacy and buy hematogen, which is sold there in the form of toffee: both tasty and healthy.
Meat, buckwheat and rosehip decoction are, of course, wonderful, but only in cases of mild anemia (up to 90 g/l) and as an adjuvant for moderate anemia (up to 70 g/l), but if there is a pronounced form, then you definitely can’t do without the help of iron-containing drugs. Patients do not prescribe them to themselves, because, due to the development of complications and undesirable side effects(deposition of iron in organs and tissues - secondary hemachromatosis), treatment requires constant laboratory monitoring and medical supervision.
With regard to other forms of anemia, it should be noted that increasing hemoglobin at home with the help of products and folk remedies, it probably won’t work, you need to treat the underlying disease and in this case it’s better to trust the doctor.
Video: low hemoglobin - Dr. Komarovsky
Hemoglobin performs in human body one of the most important functions– it is a carrier of oxygen from our respiratory organs to all tissues and organs. For this reason, a decrease in the level of hemoglobin in the blood strongly and quickly affects our well-being, and the symptoms of low hemoglobin are quite easy to recognize.
A lack of hemoglobin has an extremely negative impact on human health and can lead to the development of a disease called anemia. A low level of hemoglobin in the blood affects all systems and organs of our body. Signs of low hemoglobin are quite noticeable, but many do not attach much importance to them (especially in the initial stages), considering them a common ailment.
Oxygen is a participant in redox reactions within our body, through which we obtain energy. Therefore, low hemoglobin immediately affects negative impact for almost all of our metabolic processes, which immediately manifests itself in numerous external signs.
With a lack of hemoglobin in the blood, our tissues and organs experience serious oxygen starvation, which negatively affects our well-being and health.Speaking in simple language, the body begins to receive less energy and this is immediately reflected in a very characteristic symptoms. Symptoms of low hemoglobin levels can be divided into several groups, the first of which is associated with a general depressed state of the body.
Here are the typical symptoms of low hemoglobin in our blood:
In our body, iron performs not only the function of transporting oxygen, and a low level of hemoglobin indicates a lack of this element in the body.
It is iron deficiency that causes the following symptoms:
The last sign of a decrease in hemoglobin in the blood is especially interesting. The patient has a strange craving for completely inedible products; he wants to try chalk, coal, clay, sand and other similar substances. A person wants to try raw foods: meat, minced meat, fish, pasta, cereals. Problems with the sense of smell begin: smells that previously caused disgust (gasoline, solvent, paint, exhaust fumes) now seem very attractive. All this is typical signs decreasing the concentration of hemoglobin in the blood.
Another symptom of this disorder is frequent colds.
All of the above symptoms manifest themselves differently in people, it is not at all necessary to have the entire list of signs; in the initial stages of the disease, symptoms may be mild or not appear at all, but even if some of them are typical for you, you should immediately visit a doctor and take all the necessary tests.Symptoms in women
Symptoms and signs of low hemoglobin in women are basically the same general symptoms of this disease. This is general depression, weakness, frequent dizziness, shortness of breath and fainting. Skin problems begin, hair becomes brittle and falls out. Weakened immunity is the cause of frequent colds and other diseases.
But there are some nuances associated with the features female physiology. Women are more vulnerable to anemia because every month female body loses a large amount of blood, and this places additional stress on the hematopoietic organs and creates an additional need for iron.
Low hemoglobin in children
Low hemoglobin levels in the blood of children are a very common problem today. According to recent studies, every fifth child suffers from this disorder. At the same time, detecting symptoms of low hemoglobin in a child is not at all easy - they are often mistaken for other diseases. Most often, low hemoglobin is indicated by a routine medical examination.
Usually, with a lack of hemoglobin in the blood, the baby becomes less active, he may experience periodic headaches and sleep disturbances. Low hemoglobin in the blood can cause digestive problems in a child (frequent constipation) and cause urinary incontinence (bedwetting).
Another sign reduced content hemoglobin in the blood is a weakening of the child’s immunity, resulting in frequent illnesses respiratory system, colds and other diseases.
A lack of hemoglobin in the blood has the most detrimental effect on the development and growth of your baby; all body systems suffer, because they do not receive the required amount of oxygen, but the nervous system suffers the most.
If even changes in diet do not lead to positive results, go to the doctor. The doctor will be able to give a qualified answer to important question: why did hemoglobin decrease in your case?
Low hemoglobin- these are indicators of a lack of elements such as iron and protein in red blood cells throughout the human body of any age. In this case, the person begins to feel weakness, dizziness, decreased blood pressure, and in some cases headaches. In advanced cases, this disease is accompanied by loss of consciousness.
Normal hemoglobin level in the human body
To determine the exact amount of hemoglobin, you must first take a general analysis blood. During normal functioning of the body, the level of hemoglobin varies from 120g to 160g per 1 liter. For certain diseases and inflammations, these indicators vary depending on the disease itself and the age of the person.
Hemoglobin norm for a woman– 120-150 g/l. The value of hemoglobin may depend on hormonal changes in a woman’s body, as well as how heavy the menstrual flow is.
Hemoglobin norm for a man– 130-160 g/l.
Hemoglobin norm for a child:
Hemoglobin norm for pregnant women– 110-140 g/l. During pregnancy, women's hemoglobin levels may be reduced, this is due to the fact that the body begins to use more iron.
A slightly or globally reduced hemoglobin level manifests itself both externally and due to health conditions. The main and main signs in the well-being of an insufficient amount of Fe (iron) in biological fluid are:
- an unreasonable state of drowsiness and fatigue;
- impaired vision and intestinal dysfunction;
- the appearance of shortness of breath and muscle weakness;
- unusual rapid asthenicity (fatigue);
- reduced arterial pressure(hypotension);
- taste changes accompanied by the desire to consume inedible things in the form of chalk, clay, sand, raw meat, dough, etc.;
- changes in the sense of smell in the form of a desire to smell acetone, paints and other unpleasant odors;
- discomfort in groin area– itching, burning.
In addition to the sensations and health conditions experienced by a person with low hemoglobin, this disease also manifests itself in appearance:
- hair loss (the norm is 50-120 hairs a day) and a sharp deterioration in their condition: dullness, fragility;
- dry, possibly yellowed skin;
- the appearance of cracks in the corners of the mouth;
- brittle nails.
With low hemoglobin in men, erection deteriorates; if attention is not paid in time and treatment is not carried out, this can lead to impotence. In women, there is a disruption in the cycle (delays or vice versa), and even the complete disappearance of menstruation, even at an early age.
Important!! All signs of low hemoglobin may indicate the presence of another disease or simply a lack of various vitamins. Only a qualified doctor will tell the patient about this.
Low hemoglobin causes and consequences
Persecuted by almost a third of the world's population? The main causes of this problem are poor, unbalanced nutrition and certain types of diseases.
Causes of low hemoglobin in women:
- excessive presence of stressful situations;
- frequent diets or vegetarianism;
- hormonal imbalance of the thyroid gland;
- large blood loss (during operations, childbirth, menstruation);
- the presence of gastritis, peptic ulcers of the intestines or stomach and other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
- death of red blood cells (in infectious and autoimmune diseases);
- malignant blood diseases.
Low hemoglobin in men:
- diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
- lack of fresh air and excessive power loads;
- slagging of the body and poor absorption of essential vitamins and minerals;
- blood poisoning or the onset of cancer;
- excessive loss of blood or lack of time to restore the required amount (for example, with frequent donations).
Low hemoglobin in newborns:
- premature removal of the placenta or possible rupture of the umbilical cord indicates a large loss of blood;
- irregular shape (slightly or not at all spherical) of red blood cells leads to the rapid breakdown of hemoglobin - spherocytosis, transmitted hereditarily;
- in children who were born 1-2 months earlier, the bone marrow does not keep up with protein renewal, and the breakdown of red blood cells occurs too quickly;
- also often refers to the rapid breakdown of red blood cells intrauterine infection which the mother did not cure before conception or in its early stages;
- lack of normal amounts of iron, which should be supplied with food as in breastfeeding, and with artificial ones (this can happen up to 6 months).
Low hemoglobin in a child of preschool and school age:
- with malnutrition, which brings the necessary vitamins and minerals;
- an unhealthy lifestyle (lack of sufficient fresh air, an active sports lifestyle) indicates a metabolic disorder;
- large blood loss (both internal and external);
- impaired production of red blood cells (this is due to the absence or deficiency of folic acid or vitamin B12).
What to do if you have low hemoglobin, depends on the reasons for the problem. To find out, you need to see a doctor, take the necessary tests and complete blood count.
Why is low hemoglobin dangerous? In addition to the above symptoms, which affect internal health person and appearance, there are separate consequences of low hemoglobin which lead to the following diseases:
- problems with immune system lead to complications in any disease, even the common cold;
- low hemoglobin in women during pregnancy can lead to loss of tone and contractility of the uterus, incorrect location of the placenta, delay or even cessation of fetal development;
- the fetus may have problems with respiratory system, abnormalities in physical or mental development, complete exhaustion of muscles and organs.
What role does iron play in low hemoglobin?
Iron is one of the essential microelements in the body of any person, which plays a role in creating proteins, obtaining oxygen, hemoglobin and ensuring metabolism. Use iron for low hemoglobin will help lift it.
What to eat if you have low hemoglobin and how to increase hemoglobin in the blood and replenish iron levels? This can be done using these types of products:
- spinach – raw and cooked;
- white beans - especially in combination with broccoli, cauliflower or bell peppers;
- oysters, salmon, squid, etc.;
- pumpkin seeds - can be added to salads, bread or buns;
- sesame and sesame oil – great option for salads instead of olive;
- a mixture of dried apricots, prunes, raisins, walnuts, lemon and honey. Grind all this in equal proportions through a meat grinder. Take 1 teaspoon 3 times a day half an hour before meals.
Important!!! During your appointment drugs that increase iron in the blood, it is necessary to exclude dairy products (milk, sour cream, cottage cheese, dairy products), at least not to use them before and after taking medications for 5 hours.
Also low hemoglobin in the blood can be increased with hematogen. Hematogen is a specific prophylactic drug that should be taken in small quantities (for children - 40g per day, for adults - 50g per day) between regular meals. You can buy it in pharmacies, but you should consult your doctor before using it.
Hematogen benefits and harms
If hemoglobin is below normal, then you should think about urgently increasing it in order to prevent yourself from further big problems with health. When using hematogen, it is worth knowing all its pros and cons.
- excellent source of iron;
- helps restore normal functioning of the body under unexpected stress (both physical and mental), stress, and unfavorable environmental atmosphere;
- with deterioration of vision without vitamin A;
- helps to restore the body's condition after serious illnesses;
- if the child needs to gain weight or is stunted.
Harmful properties of hematogen:
- a large amount of iron leads to cholesterol deposition;
- large amount biologically active additives leads to diarrhea, nausea, dizziness, etc.
Drug treatment for low hemoglobin
When contacting a qualified specialist, the patient always undergoes a number of necessary tests to determine the cause of the ailment, including a general blood test. After causes of low hemoglobin are clear, the doctor prescribes appropriate treatment depending on the person’s age.
Drugs for low hemoglobin:
- Ferrogradumet is an oral preparation for saturating the body with iron, contains folic acid and vitamin C;
- Gyno-Tardiferon is an iron preparation in combination with folic acid that replenishes iron deficiency in the body, including in women during pregnancy;
- Totema - contains iron, as well as copper and manganese, which allow the rapid absorption of iron;
- Sorbifer Durules - in addition to iron, is rich in ascorbic acid, should not be taken by those who have problems with digestive system and children under 12 years of age;
- Irovit – participates in the process of development and maturation of blood cells;
- Fefol - not suitable for those who have unstable iron metabolism and increased sensitivity to folic acid;
- Heferol – suitable for low hemoglobin during pregnancy.
Medicines should be taken strictly as prescribed by the doctor!
Also increase low hemoglobin possible by injection (for example, Venofer, Ferrum-Lek, Ectofer). This treatment is carried out in the case of:
- the integrity of the stomach or intestines is damaged;
- the presence of ulcers in the intestines and stomach;
- poor tolerance to oral medications;
- poor absorption of medications through the stomach.
Bottom line
To summarize, we can say that hemoglobin is one of the essential elements in the life of an organism from the very beginning of its development in the womb. Its slight decrease can be easily restored using useful vitamin and minerals in products, but a critical shortage can lead to irreparable problems that entail not only painful sensations, but also fatal.
On the site you can find out not only What does low hemoglobin mean?, but also symptoms and causes of this disease. You can also read information about the best drugs with low hemoglobin.
You may also want to know detailed information— what is hemoglobin and how to increase it by watching the video “ Low hemoglobin«:
In other articles on the site you can learn more about low hemoglobin in children and men, and also find out what vitamins are necessary for the normal and full functioning of the whole body.
– complex chemical compound, which contains iron. It is involved in the transport of oxygen to all tissues and organs. Insufficient hemoglobin levels in the blood can lead to the development of many diseases. This is why you should regularly get your blood tested.
A decrease in hemoglobin in the blood can occur due to various reasons. Among them are:
- Blood loss. They can be obvious or hidden. The first type includes various abdominal operations, injuries, wounds, hemorrhoids or heavy menstruation. Hidden blood loss includes internal bleeding in the event of disease development.
- Lack or insufficient content of amino acids and vitamins that are necessary for the production of hemoglobin. Often the cause of a lack of vitamin C is an unbalanced diet. If the content of B vitamins is insufficient, helminthic infestation is observed.
- Intestinal dysfunction. This could be gastritis, ulcers, colitis. They interfere with the proper absorption of iron and thin the stomach lining.
- Severe infectious diseases, for example, tuberculosis or. At the same time, processes begin to occur in the body that provoke the death of red blood cells.
- . This violation occurs due to a decrease in the level. The organ is responsible for the proper functioning of all systems and organs, as well as for regulating the process of iron absorption.
- Autoimmune diseases. They cause damage and destruction of healthy cells and tissues of the body. In addition, there is a spread inflammatory process, which provokes the development of glomerulonephritis, arthritis or.
- Blood pathologies of a malignant nature.
- Various neoplasms formed in internal organs.
- Stress. They negatively affect psycho-emotional state people and become the cause of a depressed state. Negative emotions over time, it disrupts metabolic processes, which negatively affects hemoglobin levels.
- Poor nutrition. The diet must include fresh fruits, berries and vegetables in sufficient quantities. A decrease in hemoglobin in the blood can also be caused by a large amount of coffee, chocolate and grains. This is due to the fact that these products slow down the absorption of iron.
In addition, a decrease in hemoglobin levels can be caused by a sedentary lifestyle, which slows down the movement of blood flow in the body. Thus, the brain begins to receive information about a sufficient amount of hemoglobin, which includes hemoglobin. The body stops synthesizing the chemical compound, and its levels drop.
Main signs and complications
Fatigue, weakness, pale skin and headaches are signs of anemia!
It is impossible to identify anemia without tests, since the symptoms are largely similar to many different diseases.
The most pronounced signs of insufficient hemoglobin levels include:
- General weakness, dizziness, apathy and tinnitus.
- Constant thirst.
- Pale and dry skin.
- Drowsiness, in some cases fainting is possible.
- Increased fatigue, shortness of breath.
- Rapid heartbeat and feeling of shortness of breath.
- Hair dullness and hair loss.
- Insomnia.
- Frequent migraines.
- The surface of the lips cracks.
- Poor appetite or taste disturbance.
- Brittleness of the nail plates and the appearance of white spots on their surface.
- Increased sweating.
All symptoms do not indicate the development of anemia and may indicate the presence of other diseases. That is why a thorough examination is required to determine the causes.
A decrease in the level of hemoglobin in the blood leads to the development of anemia.
According to statistics, it is observed in 90% of patients with low iron levels. The disease can occur in various forms:
- Easy.
- Average.
- Heavy.
In severe forms, there is a risk of developing heart failure and respiratory depression as a result of increased acidity.
Prolonged anemia also leads to a disruption of the body's defenses. Thus, the likelihood of contracting infectious diseases and developing complications after suffering from colds increases significantly. This poses a threat not only to human health, but also to human life.
Diagnostics
It helps to determine the hemoglobin content in the blood. When scheduling a test, the patient should prepare for blood donation correctly.
To do this, you must follow a number of rules:
- Stop taking medicines a week before the procedure. If it is impossible to fulfill this point, you need to discuss this with your doctor.
- Donate blood in the morning.
- Do not eat or drink less than eight hours before the procedure.
- On the eve of the test, exclude fried foods from your diet.
- Limit nervous overstrain and eliminate stressful situations.
Fence biological material is made from a finger using a special scarifier, with which a specialist makes a small puncture, up to 3 mm deep. The resulting drop of blood is transferred to a glass slide, treated with a solution and sent to the laboratory.
Drug treatment
If anemia is established, taking medications to increase hemoglobin is indicated. All of them must be prescribed by your doctor and taken in accordance with the dosage.
This is due to the presence of a large number of side effects such as irritation of the gastric mucosa, nausea and vomiting.
The most effective drugs are:
- "Ferretab".
- "Ferro-foil".
- "Totema".
- "Maltofer."
- "Hemofer."
The course of treatment depends on the severity of the disease and ranges from 2 weeks to 3 months. In some cases, vitamin C may be required. It is strictly forbidden to take such medications with milk, coffee or green tea.
Folk remedies
Use recipes traditional medicine necessary only after consultation with your doctor, as it is possible that allergic reaction and other unwanted actions.
Among the recipes of traditional medicine are:
- Rosehip decoction with the addition of strawberry leaves. Rose hips and strawberries contain many vitamins, minerals and nutrients, including iron. The decoction is consumed throughout the day instead of tea or coffee.
- Beetroot juice. It is consumed one glass per day. But it has its own characteristics. First of all, you should know that freshly squeezed juice should not be drunk immediately after squeezing. It needs to be put in the refrigerator for 4 hours. This is necessary so that all toxic compounds present in the root crop evaporate. The course of treatment depends on the severity of the pathology.
- Infusion of currant berries. Considered the most effective means not only for colds and flu, but also for... Currants contain a large amount of vitamin C, which helps strengthen the immune system.
All products are taken for at least one month to achieve results. But it is worth remembering that when diagnosing anemia after completing a course of therapy, you should re-donate blood for analysis in order to determine the effectiveness of treatment.
Nutrition for iron deficiency anemia
In addition to the use of medications and the use of traditional medicine recipes, patients are recommended to follow a specially designed diet. It includes foods containing large amounts of vitamins, minerals and iron.
Foods to eat for anemia include:
- Beef, chicken, pork liver.
- Red meat.
- Blackcurrant, which contains vitamin C in sufficient quantities.
- Buckwheat.
- Peaches, apples of various varieties and plums.
- Pomegranates and prunes. They contain a large amount of iron.
- Rosehip and dried apricots.
The diet should also include seafood, nuts such as peanuts, cashews, wheat bran and potatoes. Patients suffering from anemia are recommended to consume brewer's yeast, cranberries and raspberries. You can make decoctions, infusions, and compotes from the berries.
Juice from carrots and beets, which is consumed half a glass per day, is especially effective. But you should remember that freshly squeezed beet juice must first be left in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours.
When creating a menu, it is important for patients to consider that the diet should contain foods high in folic acid.
These include: d
melons, watermelons, peas and green onions, citrus fruits, turnips, grapes, pomegranate, cheese, cottage cheese. But they need to be consumed separately, as they contain more calcium. It slows down the process of iron absorption.You can learn more about how to increase the level of hemoglobin in the blood from the video:
In order to prevent the development of anemia, experts recommend adhering to a number of simple rules:
- Eat properly. You should not abuse fast food and products instant cooking. It is also important to reduce the amount you consume fatty foods. The diet should include meat, dairy products and fresh vegetables, fruits and berries.
- Get your blood tested regularly. This will help control the levels of other chemical compounds in the blood.
- Eat eggs, dairy products, fish. They contain vitamin, which is involved in the formation process in human blood.
- Introduce vegetables, berries, fruits and herbs into your diet.
- Keep the body in good shape. To do this you need to exercise regularly. Doctors recommend swimming, cross-country skiing, aerobics and fitness. Exercise helps improve blood circulation and overall well-being.
- If you experience weakness, constant fatigue, apathy, headaches, dizziness, migraines and other symptoms, you should consult a specialist.
- Walking in the fresh air will help replenish your oxygen supply. That is why you need to go out into the fresh air every day and take long, leisurely walks.
Diagnosed in most patients. This is due to poor diet or lifestyle, as well as lack of physical activity. If symptoms appear, you should contact a specialist to undergo an examination and identify the cause of the decrease in hemoglobin. Lack of treatment can lead to serious consequences.
Few people know why hemoglobin drops and what needs to be done in such cases.
Why does the level of this vital protein decrease and how is this process related to the iron that a person consumes with food?
After reading the article, you will know the answers to these questions and will be able to help yourself or your family if a general blood test for some reason shows that hemoglobin is falling.
Hemoglobin is enclosed in red blood cells produced in the bone marrow. Each red blood cell lives on average 100–120 days. Bone marrow consists of 20% red blood cells.
Red bodies look like disks with a diameter of up to 80 microns, concave on both sides. Why does a mature red blood cell have this shape?
It allows red cells to pass into the narrowest capillaries. The red blood cell is elastic and can be deformed while maintaining the structure of the cell. This feature is due to the special structure of its cytoskeleton.
The adult body contains only 4 grams of iron, but this is enough to meet all the body's needs. Up to 70% Fe is included in hemoglobin - this is the hemoglobin fund.
Up to 25% of iron is a reserve reserve in the form of ferritin and hemosiderin. Another 5 - 10% is built into the composition of myoglobin, 1% is contained in intracellular enzymes and catalysts, and a very small amount of Fe is found in plasma.
Fe reserves are concentrated in the liver, bone marrow, spleen and muscles. The body loses the element with bile, when sweating, and women also during menstruation.
During chronic blood loss and intensive growth iron consumption increases. If the element is not supplied with food in sufficient quantities or its absorption is impaired, then a disease occurs - iron deficiency anemia.
A popular way to cope with the problem if hemoglobin drops is to start eating foods high in iron. But for some reason this method does not always help.
In fact, iron is different from iron. Ferum from plant products is poorly absorbed and cannot raise hemoglobin levels.
There is a lot of iron in the liver, but in this offal the element is part of a complex protein, which the body digests with difficulty and incompletely. It is best to raise hemoglobin levels with meat, including red poultry meat.
For better absorption of iron, meat dishes are eaten with vegetable side dishes of zucchini, cabbage, onions and herbs - these vegetables contain substances that accelerate blood formation.
It is useless to eat meat in combination with foods containing calcium. Why? Iron and calcium are antagonists, preventing each other from being absorbed.
The fact is that tea leaves contain tannin, which prevents iron from being absorbed. Coffee is also prohibited for people whose hemoglobin levels drop.
Unlike tea and coffee, natural juices are excellent helpers for the absorption of iron. They contain ascorbic acid, necessary for the construction of hemoglobin.
Why does hemoglobin concentration drop?
The most popular causes of anemia are stomach or intestinal bleeding, although the body in such cases loses only 1-2 ml of blood per day.
Why do almost microscopic bleeding lead to such serious consequences?
Constant blood loss characteristic of this type of bleeding, in short time lead to anemia, since there is not enough iron in the daily diet to compensate for expenses - as a result, hemoglobin falls.
It is not always possible to quickly understand why hemoglobin falls. In some cases, this requires going through full examination, including ultrasound of internal organs.
The examination will help find the underlying disease that caused the anemia. It could be oncology genetic pathologies, infection and autoimmune defects.
The following have an increased risk of iron deficiency anemia:
- women with heavy discharge during menstruation, when bleeding continues for more than 5 days;
- people who constantly experience blood loss;
- women with frequent pregnancies;
- Frequently giving birth and women breastfeeding for more than a year;
- premature babies;
- children from large families or born from anemic mothers;
- vegetarians who have been following a dairy-vegetarian diet for a long time;
- tall people;
- obese people.
The reasons that hemoglobin falls are not necessarily related to diseases of the blood and other systems or organs.
Yes, because rapid growth in children's and adolescence The need for iron increases, and hemoglobin may decrease.
Hemoglobin in women falls due to loss of iron during menstruation and recent months pregnancy. Such reasons are temporary; to correct blood parameters, it is enough to take a course of vitamins.
Anyone who experiences a drop in hemoglobin, regardless of why it occurs, should first have their serum Fe level checked.
In addition, you need to take a blood test for vitamin B 12 and determine the content of folic acid in the serum and red blood cells.
To do this you will have to carry out additional tests blood. Lack of vitamin B 12, ascorbic and folic acids are likely reasons for the decrease in hemoglobin.
Symptoms of falling hemoglobin
The fact that hemoglobin is steadily falling can be determined by the appearance of sideropenic syndrome (brittle nails and hair, painful swallowing, jamming, spoon-shaped nails) and laboratory research blood.
With anemia, the saturation rate of red blood cells drops, and target cells are found in the blood. When visually assessing the blood, its pallor can be noted.
Why blood turns pale can be understood by looking at it under high magnification - in the eyepiece of a microscope, red blood cells will be visible not as red disks, but in the form of rings with a light spot in the center.
When a smear is stained for ferum, a low concentration of red blood cells containing iron - siderocytes - is revealed.
An assessment of the volume and diameter of red blood cells helps to detect a lack of hemoglobin - with anemia, these parameters are reduced.
The RDW index, which is normally 14-15%, on the contrary, increases with a lack of hemoglobin.
Table 1. Fe deficiency over time
If hemoglobin drops, this can be detected even without blood tests and subsequent complex calculations.
The main symptom that hemoglobin is falling is constant physical weakness and pallor of the skin, gums and tongue, up to their cyanosis.
It is clear why the skin of people with low level pale hemoglobin - due to a lack of red blood cells in the lymph, which gives the dermis a healthy pinkish tint.
Prevention of decreased hemoglobin:
- eliminating the reasons why hemoglobin falls;
- nutritious diet with sufficient iron;
- prophylactic use of Fe-containing medications;
- dispensary registration.
Preventive measures are needed primarily for pregnant women and people who have repeatedly been diagnosed with a decrease in hemoglobin for any reason.
Even if everything is fine with your health, it is advisable to take a general blood test at least once a year. Using this test, you can identify pathology at an early stage or make sure that your health is normal.
Treatment of Fe-deficiency anemia
To treat Fe-deficiency anemia, you first need to eliminate the underlying diseases that caused a deficiency of hemoglobin in the blood.
At the same time, iron is replenished with pharmaceutical compounds. You need to include foods high in Fe and ascorbic acid in your diet and limit foods that interfere with their absorption - mainly milk and dairy products.
If it is impossible to eliminate the causes of iron deficiency anemia, and hemoglobin continues to fall, then the patient begins taking iron supplements at a dosage of 30–60 mg of simple Fe per day.
For drug therapy It is important to choose the most effective drug and select an individually tolerated dose, and then calculate the course of treatment. Medicines should not cause side effects.
Restoring hemoglobin will take several months. Modern pharmaceutical industry offers a large selection of drugs for Fe restoration.
Pharmaceutical drugs for the treatment of anemia are divided into:
- iron salts;
- hydroxide polymaltose compounds.
For decades, hemoglobin has been reduced with Fe-containing polysaccharide pharmaceuticals and monocomponent iron salts.
Why are these drugs still used today? Mainly because of their cheapness. Iron from multicomponent preparations is absorbed in divalent form, so the daily course dose equal to the Fe 2 content in the medicine.
