Description
Hemoglobin High is a disease of the Blood.
When levels of Hemoglobin in the blood are higher than normal the body is diseased.
Hemoglobin is a protein. It is red in color because its molecule has an iron atom. Its function is to carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body and bring back carbon dioxide.
Hemoglobin level is measured in grams per deciliter ( gms/dL ) of whole blood. A deciliter is 100 milliliters. The normal range for hemoglobin depends on age. It may be as high as 22 gm/dL in Newborns. It decreases as we grow up.
The range for men is 14 to 18 gm/dL.
The range for women is 12 to 16 gm/dL.
If it is lower than normal the patient has Anemia. If it is higher than normal, the patient is again in trouble.
Oxygen needs to be carried from the lungs to the rest of the body. Carbon dioxide needs to be brought back from the body to the lungs. The vehicle is Hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is part of the Red Blood Cells ( RBC ).
Scenario 1. Body metabolism is functioning correctly.
Body needs more oxygen, like, in high altitude environment. Hemoglobin will increase to carry more oxygen.
Note ! RBCs will not increase.
Some other causes of high Hemoglobin may be Smoking, Dehydration and Anabolic Steroids. The situation is temporary and will remedy itself the moment the cause is removed. This is a healthy reaction of the body.
Scenario 2. Body metabolism is NOT functioning correctly.
The RBCs have decreased. Hence the oxygen in the body has decreased. Therefore, to compensate for the decrease in RBCs the body increases the hemoglobin. This is an unhealthy reaction of the body.
What are the Effects of High Hemoglobin ?
When Hemoglobin is low the result is Anemia. When the level is high the blood thickens. Its viscosity increases. Its fluidity decreases. It becomes a jelly. Circulation is impaired. Consequently, oxygen to the tissues is reduced. The very reason why the metabolism increased the Hemoglobin in the first place is now the end result. A persistent state of high Hemoglobin is dangerous and may be fatal.
Causes of High Levels of Hemoglobin
COPD
Tumors
Smoking
Emphysema
Dehydration
Liver Cancer
Kidney Cancer
Heart Failure
Lung Diseases
Heart Diseases
Kidney Diseases
Genetic Disorder
Polycythemia Vera
High Blood Pressure
Testosterone Therapy
High altitude environment
Disorder with Bone Marrow
Presence of less oxygen in the Atmosphere
Drugs or hormones like Erythropoietin (EPO)
If not treated properly, persistent High Hemoglobin may cause
Death
Differential Diagnosis : The Red Blood Cells are formed in the Bone Marrow. The rise in production of Red Blood Cells by Bone Marrow is Polycythemia Vera. It is dealt with separately on this portal.
Poor circulation of blood due to Stenosis of the arteries and veins should not be mistaken for thickening of the blood. A blood test is advised.
Attention !
Hemoglobin is part of blood. It is not the whole blood. Rise or fall of Hemoglobin must not be construed as increase or decrease in blood. RBCs remaining the same Hemoglobin may rise or fall depending on the cause.
If Hemoglobin has increased, please do not consider that the volume of blood in the body has increased, and, therefore, Bloodletting or Phlebotomy is the answer. This procedure may aggravate matters. When volume of blood decreases, ( A decrease in RBCs ) the metabolism may compensate by increasing the Hemoglobin.
Materia Medica for Hemoglobin High
Hemoglobin High General
A high Hemoglobin is serious and not to be taken lightly. First, immediate steps should be taken to thin the blood. Second, the cause must be identified and removed. Third, food and herbs should be taken to set the metabolism right permanently.
Please consult your doctor who will recommend a blood thinner.
Get yourself checked for the possible cause. The most common are smoking and medicines.
Take a pinch of Cinnamon in your tea daily. Eat one clove of Garlic every morning. Take Bitter Gourd ( Karela ) when in season. When not in season consume capsules. It will take approximately three months to normalize.