High Hemoglobin: Causes, Symptoms, Test, Treatment And Prevention

OVER VIEW

Hemoglobin is a protein that is present in our blood, which carries blood and is made up of Iron and Varies types of protein.

If a person has insufficient hemoglobin level in their blood, that condition is called ‘anemia’,

In this case, a lack of healthy RBC causes weakness and trouble breathing.

High Hemoglobin is known as polycythemia.

A high hemoglobin count indicates an above-normal level of iron-containing protein in red blood cells (1).

The normal Hemoglobin level should be for males is 14 to 18 g/dl and for females is 12 to 16 g/dl (gram per deciliter). more than these levels consider a high Hg level.

HG depends on a personage, race, gender, and condition.

A high HG level can be a sign of a rare blood disease, called ‘polycythemia’.

In polycythemia, condition body produces a lot of blood due to which the blood becomes thicker than normal.

Causes

It can be caused by many factors, sometimes medication side effects, and lifestyle factors that can cause a high HG count. other includes:

• Smoking
• A bone marrow disorder, In which it produces too many RBCs.
• Dehydration
• Living in high altitude
• Kidney, heart, and lung diseases
• Heavy vomitting
• Too much exercise
• Taking steroids drugs
• Large erythropoietin formation

Learn – Low Hemoglobin: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment

Symptoms

There are various symptoms which include:

• Joint pain
• Swelling at joints
• weight loss
• Fatigues
• sweating more than usual
• Bleeding on nose
• Itchiness
• feeling exhausted
• Headache
• Reddish skin

However, all these symptoms can also indicate some other disease, so make sure that if you see these symptoms again and again, then consult a doctor.

Test

By looking at your symptoms, doctors find out whether it is a complaint of hemoglobin or some other disease.

The doctor finds out by looking at your eye. doctor pull down your eye, and check if

The eye color is more reddish then the HG count is high. if it is absolutely white then the Hg count is very low.

It is very easy to check Hg level, just blood tests are required. A needle is used to draw blood from a vein in your arm or hand (2).

NOTE: If you have weakness, then definitely get your hemoglobin checked.

Your doctor may also recommend additional tests to determine the cause of high hemoglobin levels.

This test can look for conditions that are causing your body to grow too many red blood cells. And which thing is hindering your supply of oxygen?

Treatment

The treatment for polycythemia is generally dependent on the cause.

The doctor may recommend you some medications that lower your high Hg level.

• Several drugs have been considered in combination with phlebotomy to suppress the abnormal production of red blood cells.

• Antiplatelet agents and Aspirin may also be beneficial for reducing clotting complications in patients with High HG unless the patient has a history of bleeding problems.

The doctor may recommend a procedure called ‘phlebotomy‘.

It involves inserting a needle into your vein and drawing blood through a tube into a bag. until the HG level comes to enough level.

This process may need to be done repeatedly.

Who is At High Risk?

Smokers – Smoking is one of the major reasons for High HG levels, Therefore, smoking can be a significant risk factor for polycythemia.

High altitude – People living at high altitudes are also at higher risk of developing High HG levels.

Genetic – genes and familial types of polycythemia and certain hemoglobin abnormalities also carry risk factors for this condition.

Pollution – Exposure to carbon monoxide, which comes from car exhaust, factories, underground tunnels, garages, car, and bike service centers increases the risk of polycythemia.

Complication

The complication may increase even more. if the thickness of the blood continues to increase its viscosity.

Potential complications are included:

• Blood clot – which leads to strokes, heart attack, and pulmonary embolism (blockage in one of the pulmonary arteries in the lungs.
• Excessive bleeding
• Cancer
• kidney dysfunction, stone, and gout, due to the excretion of the byproducts of red blood cell degradation may overburden the kidneys
• Heart failure, due to lung disease

In infants, blood thickness can affect their poor blood circulation and several organs which causes kidney issues, high BP, hypoxia, and intestinal problems.

Prevention

It can be prevented by not coming in excessive contact with carbon monoxide gas and avoiding smoking.

Decreasing the risk of heart failure, such as high BP, and diabetes, also potentially decrease the risk of High Hemoglobin levels.

Genetic and primary polycythemia (High Hemoglobin) disorders, however, are not preventable. In this case, it would be better to consult a doctor.

When To Talk To The Doctor?

In cases of difficulty in breathing, this may be a symptom of stroke, and any type of difficulty call the doctor, and they will give you the right advice, according to your condition.

BOTTOM LINE

People living at high altitudes are also at higher risk of developing High HG levels.

These symptoms can also indicate some other disease, so make sure that if you see these symptoms again and again, then consult a doctor.

In infants, blood thickness can affect their poor blood circulation and several organs which causes kidney issues, high BP, and hypoxia.