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A low level of hemoglobin in the blood is referred as anemia. Anemia is defined as a reduction in the concentration of hemoglobin in the blood below the normal range for the age and sex of the patient.
Signs and symptoms of anemia may include pallor of the skin, shortness of breath, palpitations of the heart, lethargy, and fatigability.
WHO (World Health organization) considers the existence of anemia when the hemoglobin level is below 13 g/dl in men, 12 g/dl in women and 11 g/dl in pregnant women.
Anemia is a group of disorders with multiple causes. The most common type is iron-deficiency anemia, but there is a lot of type depending on the origin:
The presence of a low level of hemoglobin in a blood test is the starting point to study the type of anemia that may be present. In any case, sometimes it is necessary to prescribe a treatment to for the symptoms related.
Hemoglobin values are usually given in g/dl but sometimes you can see these values in mmol/l following the International System of Units (SI). In case your values are in mmol/l, you can convert them using this tool:
Anemia or a low hemoglobin level in the blood means:
The hemoglobin level in the blood is a bit low. You may be suffering irritability, headache, fatigue and shortness of breath.
You should ask an appointment with your doctor. He will review your diet, the possible existence of a bleeding or the interference of drugs that may affect your hemoglobin level in the blood. He will decide the proper treatment for you.
In case of moderate anemia, you may have pale skin and suffer from dizziness, fainting and palpitations. Besides, you need a lot of effort to do common physical activities such as walking fast or go upstairs. Even you may feel pain if you walk too much time.
This situation needs a visit to your doctor who will prescribe you the proper treatment.
A severe anemia is a serious health problem and you should look for immediate health assistance.
If the hemoglobin level is extremely low, you will not be able to perform any physical activity and it may lead to a heart failure.
It is urgent to increase the hemoglobin level in the blood and if the hemoglobin level is below 6 g/dl it is usually necessary to administer a blood transfusion.
There are some health circumstances or drugs than can reduce your hemoglobin level in the blood:
Lower than normal level of hemoglobin in the blood can be due to:
The causes that may trigger the anemia are multiples. For that reason, the main goal is to know the type of anemia that is present to prescribe a better treatment.
However, in general, you may follow the next tips:
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The following values are considered to be above the normal range:
IMPORTANT: These levels are expressed in gr/dl. They are an example of a healthy woman of about 45 years old with no known disease and not taking any medication. The ranges can be different depending on the laboratory or on your personal circumstances.
Hemoglobin | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mild anemia | |||||||
| 11.9 g/dl | 11.8 g/dl | 11.7 g/dl | 11.6 g/dl | 11.5 g/dl | 11.4 g/dl | 11.3 g/dl | 11.2 g/dl |
| 11.1 g/dl | 11 g/dl | ||||||
| Moderate anemia | |||||||
| 10.9 g/dl | 10.8 g/dl | 10.7 g/dl | 10.6 g/dl | 10.5 g/dl | 10.4 g/dl | 10.3 g/dl | 10.2 g/dl |
| 10.1 g/dl | 10 g/dl | 9.9 g/dl | 9.8 g/dl | 9.7 g/dl | 9.6 g/dl | 9.5 g/dl | 9.4 g/dl |
| 9.3 g/dl | 9.2 g/dl | 9.1 g/dl | 9 g/dl | 8.9 g/dl | 8.8 g/dl | 8.7 g/dl | 8.6 g/dl |
| 8.5 g/dl | 8.4 g/dl | 8.3 g/dl | 8.2 g/dl | 8.1 g/dl | 8 g/dl | ||
| Severe anemia | |||||||
| 7.9 g/dl | 7.8 g/dl | 7.7 g/dl | 7.6 g/dl | 7.5 g/dl | 7.4 g/dl | 7.3 g/dl | 7.2 g/dl |
| 7.1 g/dl | 7 g/dl | 6.9 g/dl | 6.8 g/dl | 6.7 g/dl | 6.6 g/dl | 6.5 g/dl | 6.4 g/dl |
| 6.3 g/dl | 6.2 g/dl | 6.1 g/dl | 6 g/dl | 5.9 g/dl | 5.8 g/dl | 5.7 g/dl | 5.6 g/dl |
| 5.5 g/dl | 5.4 g/dl | 5.3 g/dl | 5.2 g/dl | 5.1 g/dl | 5 g/dl | 4.9 g/dl | 4.8 g/dl |
| 4.7 g/dl | 4.6 g/dl | 4.5 g/dl | 4.4 g/dl | 4.3 g/dl | 4.2 g/dl | 4.1 g/dl | 4 g/dl |
| 3.9 g/dl | 3.8 g/dl | 3.7 g/dl | 3.6 g/dl | 3.5 g/dl | 3.4 g/dl | 3.3 g/dl | 3.2 g/dl |
| 3.1 g/dl | 3 g/dl | 2.9 g/dl | 2.8 g/dl | 2.7 g/dl | 2.6 g/dl | 2.5 g/dl | 2.4 g/dl |
| 2.3 g/dl | 2.2 g/dl | 2.1 g/dl | 2 g/dl | ||||
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