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Hemoglobing/dL
Hemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. It is part of the complete blood count (CBC).
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What Hemoglobin measures
Hemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. It is part of the complete blood count (CBC).
If your Hemoglobin is low
Hemoglobin below the reference range is commonly associated with anemia, which has many possible causes and is usually interpreted with other CBC values and iron studies.
Commonly associated with
- Low iron
- Vitamin B12 or folate levels
- Blood loss
- Chronic conditions
If your Hemoglobin is high
Hemoglobin above the reference range can reflect a higher concentration of red blood cells, which is sometimes related to hydration, altitude, or smoking.
Commonly associated with
- Dehydration at the time of the draw
- Living at high altitude
- Smoking
- Certain lung or blood conditions
Typical reference range
| Group | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Women | 11.7 – 15.5 g/dL |
| Men | 13.2 – 17.1 g/dL |
Typical adult values used by many US labs. Your own report prints the range your lab validated for its method, and that range is the one that counts. Labwise always uses the printed range first.
If it is within range
Your hemoglobin is within the reference range printed by your lab.
Also listed as
HGB, Hemoglobin (HGB)
Related tests
This page is general information about what a laboratory test measures and what results outside a reference range are commonly associated with. It is not medical advice, does not diagnose any condition and does not replace your clinician. Discuss your results with your healthcare provider.