Why is elevated hemoglobin dangerous in a woman? High hemoblogin. Reasons for increased hemoglobin in men

Update: December 2018

Hemoglobin level is one of the most important indicators of a general blood test, which can be determined from both capillary and venous blood.

An increased hemoglobin level in the blood cannot be considered as a separate disease or disorder. This is only an analysis indicating that a disease is developing that causes such a deviation from the norm.

Therefore, in case of elevated hemoglobin, it is very important to conduct a thorough medical examination and treat not high hemoglobin in a woman or man, but the reason that caused its increase.

What does high hemoglobin mean and what is considered normal?

The level of hemoglobin depends on both a person’s age and gender; this blood indicator is measured either in grams per deciliter of blood g/dl or most often in g/l. Hemoglobin should be considered elevated if it is 20 or more units above normal. Average hemoglobin levels are presented in the table:

In what cases is an elevated hemoglobin level not associated with any disease?

Of course, some diseases of internal organs and blood, which we will discuss below, lead to high hemoglobin levels in women and men, and in children, but the causes of increased hemoglobin can also be external factors or a person’s lifestyle.

Residents of mountainous areas, or even those living on the plains, but high above sea level, may have an increased blood count. When a person is in high altitude areas, low oxygen levels cause the body to produce more hemoglobin to compensate for the lack of it by maximizing the binding of hemoglobin to oxygen. However, for Russians this factor is not significant.

Also, a high level of hemoglobin in men can be if the profession involves frequent flights on airplanes, for example, among pilots or climbers, or among women - flight attendants. A separate category of men and women with high hemoglobin levels are athletes, and those involved in active, even strenuous sports - these are skiers, skaters, runners, marathon runners, triathletes, and again climbers.

One of the factors causing an increase in hemoglobin in men, as well as women today, can be very active smoking. Numerous studies conducted by specialists still cannot explain the fact that smokers often have elevated hemoglobin levels. One theory is that the low content of pure oxygen in a smoker's lungs may provide the same protective mechanism to the body as when there is a lack of oxygen in the atmosphere, such as mountaineers or high-altitude dwellers.

Diseases, one of the signs of which may be high hemoglobin in the blood

Why is hemoglobin high in a child, a man, a woman? Today, the catastrophic environmental situation on the planet leads to the emergence of various diseases that our ancestors did not suffer from. If there were cases of such diseases, then this was a rare exception, in particular, this applies to:

• Oncological diseases
• Various types of allergic reactions
• Bronchial asthma, in general, a century ago was a rare disease, and today a huge number of people suffer from it, the worst thing is that among them are children who, from an early age, are forced to take steroid hormonal drugs, the use of which, even in aerosols, can increase the hemoglobin of both the child and and in an adult.

High hemoglobin in newborns is often manifested by blood transfusion or transfer of maternal blood from the placenta, especially often observed in recent decades - lack of oxygen to the fetus due to placental insufficiency is also the cause of high hemoglobin in a child or newborn.

In adults, the most obvious reason for high hemoglobin is These are diseases of the heart and lungs. Therefore, diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumonia, bronchial asthma, chronic pulmonary emphysema and other diseases of the respiratory system can cause increased hemoglobin in the blood.

As for cardiac pathologies, it can also be heart failure, heart defects, congenital disorders of the functioning or structure of the heart, acquired heart diseases. This is explained by the fact that when there is insufficient oxygen supply to organs and tissues (due to problems with the heart or lungs), the body increases the production of red blood cells. Also, high hemoglobin in the blood can be observed in the following conditions and diseases:

• Bone marrow dysfunction
• - when the condition is restored, hemoglobin also normalizes
• Kidney, liver, intestinal cancer, adrenal adenoma, uterine cancer
• Taking medications such as - steroid hormones, diuretics (diuretics), erythropoietin injections (to improve the performance of athletes)
• Burns
• Diabetes
• Severe stress
• Intestinal obstruction
• Chronic hypoxia, long-term very active smoking
• Genetic predisposition, family history
• Long-term exposure to carbon monoxide - residents of megacities, maintenance personnel of garages, parking lots, residents of polluted cities with developed industry, work in mines.

Signs and symptoms of increased hemoglobin in the blood

With high hemoglobin, a person may not experience any symptoms, but with a long-term and significant change in this indicator with a complex of concomitant diseases, the patient may have various vague symptoms that are general in nature and do not indicate a specific disease:

• Increased fatigue, lethargy,
• Poor appetite
• Drowsiness or, conversely, problems falling asleep
• Blood pressure increases
• Rapid bruising and easy bleeding
• Headache,
• , especially after a shower, bath
• Pain in joints, bones - in ribs, hips
• Blood clots or blood clots that form easily can cause stroke, pulmonary embolism, or heart attacks
• Stomach ache.

Why is high hemoglobin dangerous?

People with primary polycythemia (increased hemoglobin and red blood cells) should be aware of possible serious complications that arise due to the formation of blood clots - gastrointestinal bleeding, pulmonary thromboembolism, strokes, heart attacks, deep vein thrombosis of the legs. These conditions require immediate medical attention.

With secondary polycythemia, against the background of existing chronic diseases of the heart and lungs, the risk of developing such complications also exists, but to a lesser extent, and the condition must first be monitored together with the treating pulmonologist or cardiologist.

But believe me, hemoglobin exceeding the upper limit is no better. And now there is another task - how to reduce hemoglobin.

High hemoglobin. Happiness or danger to health

Those suffering from anemia will say: “Lucky guys, your hemoglobin is elevated. This means your head is not spinning, you have enough strength to turn the earth over even without a support point.” Is it so? Is it possible to be jealous? If hemoglobin in the blood is increased, what does this mean?

As a result of an increase in hemoglobin over a long period, deterioration in many parameters is observed:

• disorder in the functioning of the kidneys and genitourinary system: colic, pain, cystitis, etc.;
• visual acuity decreases;
• the skin becomes pale, in some even yellowish;
• a person gets tired quickly and wants to sleep all the time. This has already been discussed somewhere, hasn’t it;
• complete or partial lack of appetite.

But all these consequences are superficial. But the real danger is much more serious. High hemoglobin - why is it dangerous? Increased red blood cells make the blood thicker. In case of wounds, it stops quickly, and this is a definite plus. If you look at it from a different angle, the circulation of viscous blood is slowed down, which means that the heart and internal organs are not receiving enough oxygen. And low speed means plaque settles on the walls of blood vessels, causing blood clots to form. The result is a heart attack, heart attack, stroke, thrombosis.

Finding out the reasons

Not only low but also high hemoglobin is dangerous; the reasons for men and women are largely similar. And yet there are differences.

If men have high hemoglobin, the reasons may lie in the characteristics of their professions.

• Pilots operate at high altitudes. They don’t notice it, but their body senses a lack of oxygen in the blood. The blood reacts to such messages by increasing hemoglobin.
• To quickly achieve results (read, a beautiful body), bodybuilders take steroids and anabolic steroids.
• Men smoke a lot: cigarettes, cigars, hookahs, etc. (grandmothers would say - don’t put this nasty thing in your mouth, and psychologists would explain this unhealthy desire to shove oblong cylindrical objects into your mouth in their own way).

If a woman has high hemoglobin, the reasons may be the same (female pilots, bodybuilders and smokers also occur). But there is one reason unique to them.

• During pregnancy, a woman's body is unpredictable. And who knows how he will react to conceiving and bearing a child.
• Let's add here the work of a flight attendant - she also flies at high altitudes.

The remaining reasons for men and women are common:

• Athletes involved in cross-country sports (skiing, skating, running) spend a lot of time outdoors. Oxygen must enter the blood more actively and be distributed throughout the body (frequent inhalations and exhalations), which is why hemoglobin can increase.
• Residents of high altitude areas (like pilots and flight attendants) also need high hemoglobin so that oxygen can be released from the thin air and circulated through the circulatory system.

These are external factors. If you notice that there is increased hemoglobin, the reasons may be due to a health condition.

• Diabetes mellitus, if glucose levels increase. Hemoglobin protein attaches to glucose atoms and drags them through the blood instead of oxygen.
• In diseases of the heart and kidneys, there is also a lack of oxygen - blood does not circulate at the required speed throughout the organs. From this appears erythrocytosis - an increase in red blood cells in the blood serum.
• Dehydration.
• Gaisbeck syndrome.
• Stress.
• Burns.
• Hereditary hemoglobinemia.
• Hemolytic anemia caused by problems with the gallbladder.
• Pernicious anemia, as a consequence of problems in the gastrointestinal tract.
• Oncology.
• Increased content of B vitamins: B12 and B9.
• Pulmonary or congenital heart failure.
• Poisoning.

If there are any of the above reasons, then your hemoglobin may be high - get checked. And if hemoglobin is elevated, what does this mean? It needs to be reduced. But first, let's look at the symptoms themselves.

We study the symptoms

How to recognize high hemoglobin in women? The symptoms are the same as in men, if the former are not pregnant, and the latter do not fly or swing constantly.

• The tips of the fingers and toes turn pale due to insufficient blood supply.
• As a result, your fingers feel cold.
• It’s hard to concentrate and come up with a smart thought - the brain is depleted of oxygen. Do not confuse increased hemoglobin with a prolonged rush at work.
• Pre-infarction or pre-stroke condition.
• Difficulty or, conversely, too frequent urination.
• Decrease in visual acuity.
• Loss of appetite.
• I want to lie down and do nothing (do not confuse it with laziness).
• Blood pressure rises for no apparent reason.
• Aches bones and joints.
• We haven’t walked much, but the veins are swollen, which means the blood is thick and clots are settling on the walls.

We described all these symptoms above. If you notice them, get tested. The following hemoglobin indicators should alert you:

• for men – above 170-180 grams per liter;
• for women - more than 150 grams per liter.

Why is high hemoglobin dangerous in women and men? In addition to the unpleasant state of a somnambulist, high hemoglobin can provoke a heart attack and even lead to death - a blood clot breaks off from the walls of blood vessels and instantly clogs the arteries. So we are urgently looking for ways to reduce hemoglobin.

Reducing hemoglobin

How to reduce hemoglobin in women and men? This can be done using dietetics and folk remedies, as well as medications.

Dietetics

It would be logical to assume that increased hemoglobin in women and men can be reduced by those foods that cannot be eaten if you are anemic.

It is forbidden:

• meat, offal (tongue, liver), game, smoked meats;
• , red vegetables and fruits, radishes;
• caviar;
• fast foods;
• full-fat milk, butter;
• cereals: buckwheat, rolled oats;
• soda;
• sweets;
• drink and drink;
• smoke.

Conclusion: you should not eat any foods that contain large amounts of iron and vitamin B12.

Can:

• seafood;
• lean fish;
• legumes;
• salads and vegetables with green fruits;
• sour cream, kefir and other fermented milk products;
• chicken;
• drink more clean water (you remember about).

Dishes should not be fried, only boiled, raw, stewed or baked.

The table will help you navigate through foods containing iron. We choose those that contain less of this mineral.

Folk remedies

It is useful to know how to reduce hemoglobin in the blood of men or women using folk remedies, and not just food.

• A long time ago, they practiced a method such as bloodletting (by the way, it is still used quite actively now - there was an article on the website about). In this case, you can contact him. It's also possible. They not only thin the blood, but also normalize hemoglobin levels. Just don't go to the swamps. This procedure can be done safely in clinics or medical centers.
• There are also good reviews about the action of the resin, which is mined in Central Asian caves. Dosage – 10 days, one tablet before bedtime.
• Become a donor. Regular donation of blood for the benefit of medicine will also benefit the sufferer.
• Salads from, and. We take one part of each plant, cut them and season with natural yogurt or kefir. For variety, you can also put white meat (breast) or cottage cheese there.

Official medicine

If you are wondering how to quickly lower hemoglobin in the blood, then there is only one answer - you need to consult a doctor for medical help. Drugs that thin the blood and bring its clotting back to normal will help:

• Cardiomagnyl;
• Chime;
• Aspirin;
• Trental.

Electrophoresis is very rarely prescribed. Under the influence of current, excess red blood cells are broken down and removed from the body.

It is difficult to say what is more dangerous – increased or decreased hemoglobin. But in both cases it needs to be normalized in order to live, work and enjoy life.

High hemoglobin can be an indicator of a lack of folic acid and vitamin B12 in the body. Elevated hemoglobin is an excessively high level of hemoglobin in a person’s blood. High hemoglobin and thick blood can cause cardiovascular diseases. In such cases, blood thinning drugs are prescribed. Against the background of high hemoglobin, a woman can develop various oncological diseases, long and painful menstruation. If your hemoglobin is higher than normal, you should also consult a doctor. For women this figure is above 150 g/l, and for men 170 g/l. High hemoglobin- this is not good. At this time, the blood becomes thick and viscous, which leads to the formation of plaques and blood clots.

Hemoglobin (Hb, hemoglobin), from Greek. haima ‘blood’ and Latin. globus ‘ball’: a coloring substance in the blood, a component of erythrocytes – red blood cells. Hemoglobin is the main component of red blood cells. Hemoglobin level indicates the blood's ability to transport oxygen. A high hemoglobin level is not the same as a high red blood cell count because not every red blood cell contains the same amount of hemoglobin. Thus, hemoglobin may be high even if red blood cell levels remain within normal limits. We all know that low hemoglobin is a sign of anemia and therefore needs treatment. But not everyone knows that a high level of hemoglobin is an equally dangerous symptom. High hemoglobin is characterized by an excessive number of red blood cells at any particular age and for a particular person.

Usually, A hemoglobin level exceeding 17.5 g/dL for men and 15.5 g/dL for women is considered high. In children, the normal hemoglobin level depends on age and gender. High hemoglobin in women can be a symptom of congenital heart disease and cor pulmonale, pulmonary fibrosis, polycythemia vera and disorders in the body.

To begin with, it is worth defining the very concept of “high hemoglobin”. The hemoglobin level in the blood of a healthy woman is

120-140 g/liter of blood, healthy man - 135-160 g/l. Accordingly, a high hemoglobin level is more than 150 g/l for women and more than 170 g/l for men.

Before implementing measures to reduce hemoglobin concentration, it is necessary to make a diagnosis based on the results of a blood test. Normal levels of hemoglobin in the blood are: for women - from 120 to 140, for men - from 135 to 160. High hemoglobin is diagnosed when the norm increases by 20 or more.

High hemoglobin is corrected by limiting the penetration of proteins and iron of animal origin into the body, which contribute to an increase in hemoglobin. Such products are considered to be red meat and meat by-products, cereal porridges and red berries, etc. Often, when limiting the consumption of these foods, hemoglobin in the blood returns to normal.

Causes of increased hemoglobin levels

Globin levels may increase if the body increases production of red blood cells to compensate for the lack of oxygen in various body tissues caused by poor heart or lung conditions.

The same thing can happen if your kidneys make too much of a protein (erythropoietin) that increases red blood cell production, or if you take drugs that stimulate red blood cell production.

In addition, high hemoglobin is observed with bone marrow dysfunction, as well as during stay at high altitudes.

The following factors can cause high hemoglobin levels:

• Congenital disorders of the structure and/or functioning of the heart;
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease;
• Dehydration;
• Emphysema;
• Erythropoietin injections to enhance athletic performance;
• Heart failure;
• Kidney cancer;
• Liver cancer;
• Long-term stay or permanent residence at high altitudes, in conditions of reduced oxygen content in the air;
• Other types of heart disease;
• Other types of lung diseases;
• Smoking (it leads to a decrease in oxygen levels in the blood).

In addition, increased hemoglobin levels can be caused by dehydration, diuretics (diuretics), burns, stress and high blood pressure. Polycythemia vera is a myeloproliferative disorder in which red blood cell production and hemoglobin levels increase without stimulation by the hormone erythropoietin. In secondary polycythemia, hemoglobin levels increase as a result of the influence of the hormone erythropoietin.

Symptoms

Symptoms of polycythemia include purple spots on the skin, blood in the stool, sore and red skin, itching, fever, and unexplained weight loss.

A high level of hemoglobin in professional athletes is one of the signs of doping and a basis for disqualification.

As a rule, a high level of hemoglobin is detected during a medical examination that was carried out for some other reason. Usually, the doctor, having received such results, himself suggests that the patient undergo a more thorough medical examination.

High hemoglobin in the blood is usually observed in people who engage in active sports, for example, skiers or runners. Most often the problem occurs due to low hemoglobin. However, there are also cases of high hemoglobin in an ordinary person.

In addition to physical stress, the cause of high hemoglobin can be living in high mountain areas, where, as you know, the air is quite thin. To determine how to lower hemoglobin levels, it is imperative to find out the reasons for high hemoglobin. In particular, it is necessary to establish whether the increased hemoglobin content is a concomitant sign of any pathology of the circulatory system or internal organs. For this reason, you should not guess the cause of high hemoglobin on your own, but seek advice from a qualified specialist.

Meanwhile, a person can recognize the manifestations of high hemoglobin on his own, since with an increase in this protein in the blood serum, blood pressure increases, the person begins to suffer from sleep disorders, the skin turns red, and general health worsens. High hemoglobin indicates an unsatisfactory blood condition, which can cause severe consequences.

When the hemoglobin content in the blood increases, the blood becomes more viscous and thick, which prevents its normal movement through the vessels. These phenomena can lead to the formation of blood clots and blood clots and, as a result, blockage of blood vessels, heart attacks and strokes.

Treatment of elevated hemoglobin

High hemoglobin is also reduced by prescribing drugs that are designed to thin the blood, such as Cardiomagnyl, Trental, Curantil, etc. Such drugs are prescribed by a doctor only after appropriate tests have been carried out and a diagnosis has been made.

Elevated hemoglobin is sometimes treated with erythrophoresis, a procedure that aims to remove “extra” red blood cells from the bloodstream, thereby reducing hemoglobin levels. However, this procedure is resorted to extremely rarely and only if it is not possible to use other treatment methods.

Thus, high hemoglobin should never be ignored. In the absence of proper treatment, an increased level of hemoglobin in the blood can lead to extremely undesirable consequences.

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Hemoglobin is a protein involved in transporting oxygen and other gases in the blood. In various diseases, its level deviates significantly from normal values. In women, high hemoglobin is rarely observed in blood tests; more often this indicator is reduced. But the state of hyperhemoglobinemia may indicate the presence of diseases, so timely diagnosis is necessary.

Causes

An increase in the level of hemoglobin (Hb) in a woman’s blood is observed with increased formation of red blood cells. In this way, the body compensates for the lack of oxygen in the tissues. There are a number of situations in which an increase in hemoglobin is the norm or a compensatory mechanism for adaptation to certain environmental conditions. Normally, a woman’s hemoglobin should be 120-140 g/l. With age, this indicator practically does not change.

Physiological reasons

In some situations not related to illness, the level of hemoglobin in a woman's blood may temporarily or permanently increase. Sometimes such an increase can be considered normal.

Causes	Description
Intense physical activity	During intense physical activity associated with profession or sports, blood tests show a high level of hemoglobin. Taking anabolic steroids can also temporarily increase it. Professional athletes and people with heavy physical labor need more oxygen in their tissues. The body's need for oxygen increases sharply, which is associated with intense oxidative processes in the muscles. That is why increased hemoglobin in female athletes is considered a necessary condition for reactions occurring in myocytes (muscle cells).
High altitude conditions	An increase in hemoglobin in the blood is considered normal in people living in high mountains or climbing to high altitudes. In this case, the body adapts to oxygen deficiency. In this way, the female body compensates for the load. This is typical for flight attendants and climbers.
Smoking	A critical level of hemoglobin is observed in the blood of women who have been abusing smoking for many years. Lung tissue is richly supplied with blood, and cigarette smoke becomes a factor that interferes with its normal functioning. When a woman does not smoke, red blood cells deliver the required amount of oxygen to the lung cells. Smoking causes vasoconstriction and a lack of blood supply to the lungs, which is why the body launches a compensatory process in the form of an increase in hemoglobin to 140 g/l and above.
Burns	After receiving a burn, the Hb level in the tests will be elevated for a short time and then begin to slowly decrease. This condition is observed with massive burns, when the liquid part of the blood (plasma) leaves the vessels. At the same time, the blood thickens, which causes an increase in the number of formed elements in the tests. After replenishing lost fluid, the Hb level gradually drops. Reduced hemoglobin (80-90 g/l) can last for several days for the body to adapt to changed conditions.
Dehydration	Dehydration during vomiting, severe diarrhea (more than 10 times a day), excessive sweating leads to blood thickening. Hemoglobin 150 g/l results from these conditions. If left untreated, blood thickening is life-threatening, because the risk of thrombosis increases.
Taking iron supplements	Often, the hemoglobin level in women increases with uncontrolled intake of vitamin-mineral complexes containing iron. After completing the course of treatment, the Hb level gradually begins to fall and returns to normal.
Pregnancy	The norm is considered to be an increase in Hb in pregnant women in the first trimester to 160 g/l, in the second - to 142 g/l, in the third - to 148 g/l.
Stress	Stressful situations cause short-term jumps in blood counts. In some women, hemoglobin increases to 150 g/l or higher. After a few hours it returns to normal. During stress, the body experiences oxygen starvation and sends a signal to the red bone marrow. The cells begin to overproduce red blood cells containing hemoglobin.

Pathological causes

If hyperhemoglobinemia is caused by pathological causes, treatment of the disease accompanied by an increase in Hb is necessary.

• Tumors

With tumors of a benign and malignant nature, there is a change in all blood sprouts (white and red). In the first stages of tumor growth, hemoglobin increases to 157 g/l. When the process is advanced, the Hb level drops to 57 g/l and below.

• Diseases of the cardiovascular system, respiratory organs

Diseases of the cardiovascular system with simultaneous damage to the lung tissue cause an increase in hemoglobin in red blood cells. Red bone marrow tries to compensate for the lack of oxygen by producing excess blood cells. This condition is most common in people over 50 years of age. With timely treatment, the patient's condition stabilizes, and hemoglobin should gradually fall to normal values.

• Genetic disorders

In addition to acquired diseases, increased Hb levels can be caused by genetic abnormalities. These include hemochromatosis, when the metabolism of iron in the body is disrupted and its excess is deposited in the tissues. The hemoglobin level in patients with hemochromatosis never falls below 150 g/l.

• Diabetes

People suffering from diabetes must monitor not only their daily glucose levels, but also glycated hemoglobin. Its amount is directly dependent on blood sugar surges.

• Erythremia, or Vaquez's disease

If hemoglobin is elevated in women, it is necessary to conduct a diagnosis to exclude Vaquez disease. It has a chronic course and is characterized by excessive production of red blood cells by the bone marrow. The symptoms of the disease may not bother you for a long time, and therefore erythremia is most often diagnosed after 40 years. Women seek help when pain appears in the left hypochondrium, blood pressure rises, and nosebleeds or uterine bleeding occur. Simultaneously with the increase in hemoglobin, there is an increase in the number of red blood cells and other blood cells.

Treatment

High hemoglobin levels are considered a signal of changes in the body that need to be paid attention to. Therefore, timely diagnosis and consultation with a doctor is important. High hemoglobin in women requires a special approach.

After identifying the cause of hyperhemoglobinemia, the following treatment is prescribed:

• diet therapy;
• taking medications;
• hirudotherapy,
• erythrocytopheresis.

The main focus of treatment is proper nutrition. It is necessary to limit the consumption of red meat (beef, lamb), wine, buckwheat, and red fish (but river fish dishes are allowed no more than once a week). You need to make your diet as varied as possible. Green tea, poultry, dairy products, and citrus fruits should be included. In addition to juices and other drinks, you should drink at least 2.5 liters of clean water per day.

To reduce hemoglobin levels, blood thinners are prescribed. They are especially necessary for women after 50-56 years of age, who are prone to blood clots. The medications are taken under the control of blood tests.

The most effective drugs:

• Chime;
• Aspirin;
• Cardiomagnyl;
• Trental.

In addition, medications are prescribed to treat the underlying disease, if one is identified.

In rare cases, a complex procedure such as erythrocytopheresis is used. It involves removing part of the red blood cells from the patient’s blood using a special device.

When we donate blood for analysis in order to assess its condition, we are primarily afraid of anemia - a low content of red blood cells and hemoglobin. At the same time, it should be noted that a pronounced increase in these indicators does not always confirm health and in some cases can indicate serious problems. When is it possible to increase hemoglobin levels and what dangers can this condition pose?

What is hemoglobin

Hemoglobin is a special transport protein contained in red blood cells, the main task of which is the attachment of oxygen molecules with their subsequent delivery to organs and tissues.

Due to its complex structure, the hemoglobin molecule is capable of binding oxygen and transporting it to various organs and tissues

As blood passes through the pulmonary alveoli, red blood cells are enriched with oxygen molecules, which attach to the structural units of hemoglobin, giving arterial blood a bright scarlet color. With the help of hemoglobin, the blood flow supplies absolutely all organs with this important chemical element. With a reduced hemoglobin content, the transport of these molecules is disrupted, resulting in oxygen starvation, which has an adverse effect on the functioning of the human body.

Hemoglobin level values ​​differ at different periods of life; they depend on age and gender; fluctuations are possible during pregnancy or, for example, during intense sports activities.

Table: normal hemoglobin levels in people of different genders and ages

Causes of elevated hemoglobin

An increase in normal hemoglobin levels compared to the norm is much less common than a decrease, and is more typical for men. It should be noted that a single increase in hemoglobin level detected in tests does not mean anything; it can happen once and never happen again. This situation should not cause concern; it is just necessary to repeat the analysis after some time.

Hemoglobin tends to increase in certain physiological conditions:

• increased physical activity, when increased muscle mass requires more oxygen, and to meet the body's needs, the number of red blood cells and the hemoglobin they contain increases;
• long stay high in the mountains in thin air conditions, oxygen deficiency requires an increase in the number of red blood cells;
• in experienced smokers, due to the fact that carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke, like oxygen, is able to bind to hemoglobin, resulting in a deficiency of oxygen-carrying molecules, so the mechanism of their compensatory production is activated.

In fact, smoking can hardly be fully called a physiological condition, but the fact remains that both active supporters of sports and heavy smokers often have higher than normal levels of this transport protein.

Pathological increase in hemoglobin levels

In some cases, an increase in hemoglobin levels may be evidence of the occurrence of various pathological processes in the body. A transient (temporary) increase in indicators can occur when:

• significant loss of fluid (noted with severe vomiting, diarrhea, long stay in a hot room or in the sun), in such a situation, the increase in hemoglobin is relative - the total number of cells remains the same, but the volume of the liquid part of the blood in which they circulate decreases;
• burns - plasma (the liquid part of the blood) is lost through the affected surface, it thickens, and the number of red blood cells and hemoglobin level will increase.

With extensive III-IV degree burns, fluid loss occurs through the burned surface, which can lead to an increase in hemoglobin levels due to blood thickening

A doctor I know argued with his colleagues that he could easily raise a patient’s hemoglobin by 10 units within an hour, without resorting to transfusion of blood components. Indeed, after an hour, the hemoglobin level increased. As it turned out later, the doctor prescribed this patient a potent diuretic, and the increase in the number of red blood cells was explained by elementary dehydration (loss of fluid) and, as a consequence, an increase in the concentration of blood cells.

Erythremia (polycythemia)

An increase in hemoglobin levels can occur with a hematological disease called polycythemia (erythremia). This pathology is based on the uncontrolled division of hematopoietic precursor cells, resulting in an increase in the number of blood cells of both erythrocyte, leukocyte and platelet lineages. Blood viscosity increases, there is a tendency to increased thrombus formation, and the hemoglobin level can exceed 175 g/l in males and 163 g/l in women. , on the contrary, decreases to 1 mm/h.

The disease most often manifests itself at the age of 45–55 years, has a chronic form and in most cases is asymptomatic. Sometimes it can be a diagnostic finding during a clinical blood test. Due to the accumulation of a large number of red blood cells in superficial vessels, the skin acquires a reddish tint, which is especially noticeable on the face and limbs. There is an enlargement of the spleen. The danger for the body is the transition from a sluggish stage to an acute stage, when important organs for life - the heart, lungs, and brain - are affected.

With polycythemia, red blood cells accumulate in the superficial vessels, which gives the facial skin a pronounced red tint.

Increased hemoglobin in kidney pathology

The process of formation of red blood cells occurs under the influence of a special hormone produced by the kidneys, called erythropoietin. In some renal pathologies (kidney hydronephrosis, formation of renal cysts, narrowing of the renal arteries), activation of erythropoietin synthesis is observed, which leads to increased formation of red blood cells, and consequently, an increase in hemoglobin is observed. Therefore, in case of suspected renal pathology as the probable cause of an increase in hemoglobin levels, it is necessary to conduct a general urine test and ultrasound of the kidneys.

Increased hemoglobin in diseases of the heart and blood vessels

In chronic cardiovascular failure, an increase in hemoglobin levels may also be observed, and this is not at all evidence of well-being. When the heart fails to cope with its pumping function, the blood begins to circulate more slowly, its viscosity increases, and so-called blood thickening occurs. When conducting laboratory tests, an increase in the level of hemoglobin, red blood cells, and platelets will be noted. Against this background, increased thrombus formation, the development of thromboembolism, and thrombosis of the vessels of internal organs are possible. Metabolic processes slow down and hypoxia occurs due to lack of oxygen.

Elevated hemoglobin levels can occur with:

• malignant neoplasms;
• diabetes mellitus;
• overdose of some B vitamins;
• stressful situations.

If this change does not exceed 10 units, it is not critical. When the readings are above 180 g/l, it is necessary to consult a doctor and undergo a comprehensive examination in order to establish the possible cause of this condition.

Symptoms of increased hemoglobin in the body

There are no specific symptoms indicating increased hemoglobin in the body. Among the non-specific ones, the following can be noted:

• pallor of the skin and “marbling” of the skin, in which pale areas alternate with reddened ones;
• increased fatigue, apathy, decreased performance;
• sleep and appetite disturbances;
• heart failure, rhythm disturbances;
• decreased visual and hearing acuity;
• intense headaches;
• feeling of thirst.

With an increase in hemoglobin levels, redness of certain areas of the skin is observed against the background of general pallor

Similar signs can be observed in most pathological conditions, so a diagnosis can only be made by performing a clinical blood test.

Diagnosis of elevated hemoglobin levels

No special preparation is required for a clinical blood test. Once an excess of normal hemoglobin levels is detected, it is worth identifying the factor that caused such a change. If, against the background of severe hyperhemoglobinemia (this is the medical term for elevated levels), there is an increase in the number of other blood elements, this speaks in favor of polycythemia, and an enlarged spleen can confirm this diagnosis.

Additional studies are prescribed:

• determining the level of glucose in the blood (it is necessary to take the test on an empty stomach) - if you suspect diabetes mellitus;
• general urine test - allows you to suspect kidney problems;
• instrumental research methods (ultrasound, fibrogastroduodenoscopy, colonoscopy, computed tomography, biopsy with taking pieces of tissue for examination) - in case of suspicion of malignant neoplasms;
• electrocardiogram - for pathology of the cardiovascular system.

Principles of therapy

Both medications and alternative treatment methods can normalize hemoglobin levels.

If the increase in hemoglobin level is associated with lifestyle features, no special correction is required:

• the smoker is advised to reduce the number of cigarettes he smokes or give them up altogether;
• When staying in hot countries, you should increase the amount of fluid consumed.

If elevated hemoglobin is a manifestation of any disease, efforts must be made to combat the underlying disease.

In some cases, erythrocytopheresis is indicated - a special procedure that helps to selectively remove red blood cells from the bloodstream using a special fractionator apparatus.

Drug treatment

Treatment with medications should be aimed at thinning the blood in order to prevent increased thrombus formation. The most famous and widely used antiplatelet agents are drugs based on acetylsalicylic acid:

• Thrombo ACC;
• Aspirin Cardio.

Thrombo ACC is a drug of acetylsalicylic acid, which is available in dosages suitable for the prevention of the development of thrombosis of small and large vessels

Also, to improve blood viscosity, the use of drugs such as:

• Trental;
• Dipyridamole.

Curantil is prescribed to thin the blood and prevent blood clots

If polycythemia is the basis for the increase in hemoglobin levels, cytostatic therapy is prescribed.

Folk remedies for normalizing hemoglobin levels

The most famous method since ancient times to help successfully combat blood thickening is the use of leeches. These bloodsuckers live in swamps and other bodies of water with stagnant water, but at the present stage, many clinics provide hirudotherapy (leech treatment) services. Leeches are able to rid the patient of “excess” blood; they make it less viscous thanks to a specially secreted enzyme.

When biting the skin, a leech releases a special substance that thins the blood, which helps reduce its viscosity and normalize hemoglobin levels.