Hemoglobin (Hb)

Hb is the respiratory protein of RBCs, consisting of 3.8% heme and 96.2% globin. There are more than 800 variants due to mutations in the globin molecule.

Normal range (adults): 12 " “16 g/dL in women and 14 " “18 g/dL in men.

Use

Hb is of great utility in detecting anemias or erythrocytosis.

Interpretation

Decreased In

Hb is reduced in all anemias, in most cases as a consequence of another underlying disease or a deficiency (iron, folate, vitamin B12).

Increased In

Hb is higher as a physiologic response to high altitude due to low oxygen tension or in advanced lung or cardiac disease.

Certain myeloproliferative neoplasms, especially polycythemia vera, present with inappropriate elevation of Hb.