What is high hemoglobin called? What is dangerous high hemoglobin. Diet and nutrition correction with an increased rate

Everyone knows that reduced level hemoglobin in the blood is bad and is one of the signs of anemia. But elevated hemoglobin also does not bode well if it is not caused physiological features body and lifestyle. Today we will discuss the topic of why it is dangerous elevated level hemoglobin in the blood, how can this affect health and is it possible to somehow bring its level back to normal?

What is hemoglobin and why is it needed in the body?

Hemoglobin (Hb - as doctors write it for short) is a complex iron-containing protein that can bind to oxygen molecules, thereby ensuring its transfer to tissues and organs. This is what saturates our blood cells - red blood cells - with oxygen.

When inhaled, oxygen enters the blood through the alveoli in the lungs, where it binds to the iron-containing blood protein and spreads throughout the body through the systemic circulation, nourishing organs and tissues with arterial blood, ensuring their full functioning. And on the way back with venous blood is carried away to the lungs carbon dioxide which is exhaled during exhalation. Upon entry, the entire cycle of blood oxygenation is repeated.

Hemoglobin is an important component of blood. From this it follows that there is little hemoglobin - little oxygen, a lot of hemoglobin - in theory there should be a lot of oxygen. But it is not always the case. An elevated Hb level is a kind of compensatory reaction of the body.

Causes of increased hemoglobin

How is hemoglobin regulated? The kidneys are a powerful endocrine organ that not only filters and removes fluid from the body along with toxins and toxins. The kidneys produce vitamin D, which is responsible for the density of our bones, it is the main organ that regulates our blood pressure, and it also produces the hormone erythropoietin (EPO). This hormone is responsible for the production of red blood cells and the production of hemoglobin.

main reason elevated hemoglobin is hypoxia, which occurs as a result of oxygen starvation due to insufficient breathing. When hypoxia occurs, the signal from the organ goes to the kidneys, and from the kidneys to the bone marrow, causing more hemoglobin to be produced. That is, if a person has difficulty breathing, and he does not receive enough oxygen, then iron-containing protein rises in the blood.

In order to somehow increase the level of hemoglobin, the body has to produce an additional number of red blood cells, the concentration of blood and plasma cells increases, the blood becomes thick.

Elevated hemoglobin is a consequence of two processes: an increase in the synthesis of red blood cells and a decrease in the volume of blood plasma.

Physiological causes

Increases in hemoglobin that are not associated with the presence of diseases occur in people living and working in high-mountainous places. Air on high altitude above sea level is discharged and contains an insufficient amount of oxygen, the body in this case experiences oxygen starvation. To provide the body with enough oxygen, the body produces more hemoglobin. This category includes

• residents of high mountain villages;
• climbers conquering the peaks of mountains;
• rescuers working in high mountains;
• pilots, stewardesses and flight attendants;
• athletes running for time and for long distances (skiers, biathletes, speed skaters, marathon runners, etc.);
• heavy smokers;
• people actively taking anabolic steroids;
• obese;
• people suffering from snoring and sleep apnea (stopping breathing during sleep);
• hereditary factor.

Elevated hemoglobin in this case can be easily brought back to normal, one has only to eliminate the cause that caused it.

Causes associated with the presence of pathology

If with an increased Hb there are no reasons indicated above, then it is worth considering, perhaps this is one of the symptoms:

• oncopathology;
• pathology of cardio-vascular system;
• respiratory failure;
• dehydration of the body, as a result of increased sweating and insufficient drinking regimen;
• with burns;
• excess vitamin B12;
• hormonal disorders;
• intestinal infections accompanied by dehydration due to severe vomiting and diarrhea;
• diabetes mellitus.

An increase in the level of Hb can be when taking drugs with a diuretic effect, used for high blood pressure, sedatives and hormonal drugs, including contraceptives.

Among women

More often, an increase in iron-containing protein in women may be due to

• with increased sweating associated with increased physical training or during the heat;
• non-compliance with the drinking regime;
• with uncontrolled use of diuretics and contraceptives;
• mental disorders and stress.

In pregnant women, an increase in hemoglobin is highly undesirable, as it can lead to problems with the kidneys or liver, which can negatively affect the development of the fetus.

Bleeding with uterine fibroids or menstruation can affect the amount of hemoglobin in the blood in women. With uterine myoma during bleeding, the erythrocyte count falls and Hb should also fall. However, chronic small blood loss stimulates the production of erythropoietin, which "forces" the production of even more hemoglobin. With prolonged and heavy periods, dehydration occurs, which first leads to increased production of erythropoietin and an increase in Hb, and only later to its decrease and anemia.

In men

The increased level of iron-containing protein depends directly on its bad habits primarily from smoking. Nicotine leads to narrowing of blood vessels, oxygen starvation, dehydration and thick blood, and this is a signal for the kidneys and the hormone EPO.

Men by profession work more at height (pilots, rescuers, climbers) and are engaged in active and heavy forks of sports. And some are still addicted to anabolics.

In children

In order for the hemoglobin index in children to be higher than normal, it is enough for the child to be naughty, sleep badly or sweat. Dehydration, which occurs due to increased sweating during fever or during the hot season, as well as when drinking diuretic tea, can also negatively affect the blood count.

To provoke a sharp release of erythropoietin and the production of Hb can be a heart defect - a ventricular septal defect. Due to the hole in the interventricular septum, not all blood is saturated with oxygen, as it does not pass through the lungs.

What level of hemoglobin is considered elevated?

Normally, the level of Hb depends on age and gender. What are the normal values ​​can be seen in this table.

An increase in the amount above the norm by 10-20 g / l already indicates an increased level of Hb. The higher the value, the more serious the pathology can be, the faster the cause must be found so that the doctor can prescribe adequate therapy.

Signs of elevated hemoglobin

But not only in the analysis form you can find out about increased hemoglobin. The following signs may indicate this:

• apathy, weakness, fatigue, mood swings;
• sleep disturbance - drowsiness or, conversely, insomnia;
• poor appetite or lack of it;
• joint, muscle and headaches;
• increased blood pressure and heart rhythm disturbance;
• signs of impaired liver function - yellowness of the skin, sclera, tongue, itching of the skin and enlargement of the liver;
• thirst and dryness of the skin and mucous membranes;
• blurred vision;
• frequent or infrequent urination.

These symptoms can be with any other disease, so differential diagnosis should always be accompanied by general analysis blood. As a rule, elevated Hb is not considered a primary and independent disease, it is just one of the signs of any pathology.

Why is high hemoglobin dangerous?

As already noted, increased hemoglobin contributes to an increase in blood viscosity, that is, the blood becomes thicker, these concepts are closely related. And blood viscosity has negative consequences for the body.

1. The likelihood of gluing protein structures of the blood increases, and this in turn leads to the formation of blood clots, ischemia and can lead to strokes and heart attacks;
2. Thick blood flows through the blood vessels more slowly, which leads to the deposition of cholesterol plaques on the walls of the vessels, narrowing the lumen of the vessels. And this main reason stagnation of blood in the vessels, development hypertension and its consequences;
3. To pump thick blood to the heart muscle, great efforts are required and, as a rule, the left ventricle of the heart increases from a greater load;
4. A low rate of blood flow through the vessels, low oxygenation of red blood cells, impaired gas exchange leads to insufficient nutrition of organs and tissues, especially the brain, with nutrients and oxygen. This is especially dangerous for the brain; with prolonged starvation of brain structures, mental disorders, in children, physical, mental and mental development slows down.

How to lower elevated hemoglobin?

If a blood test showed an excess of the norm, then this is a cause for some concern. Of course, first of all it is necessary to find out the reason. If the elevated level is caused by physiological reasons, then by eliminating the provoking factor, the Hb level will return to normal again.

But do not forget that this is a serious health problem and you need to consult a doctor to solve it. Only a doctor, based on other studies and differential diagnosis, will be able to prescribe an adequate treatment and diet.

Food

It is necessary to exclude or minimize products that increase hemoglobin, and this is

• offal and red meat;
• fatty, smoked or fried foods;
• rich pastries, flour products, sweets;
• buckwheat grain;
• fatty fish, seafood;
• sweets.

Eliminate foods rich in iron and vitamin B 9 (, refuse for a while from taking multivitamin preparations and dietary supplements.

Your diet should include more

• chicken meat,
• River fish,
• fermented milk products of low fat content, cottage cheese,
• a large number of various greens (except spinach) and vegetables,
• peas, legumes, soybeans,
• cereals from cereals, except buckwheat,
• sauerkraut,
• vegetables and fruits with a high liquid content - cucumbers, watermelon, berries, fruits, with the exception of apples and pomegranates.

A large role is played by fluid, it is she who will help thin the blood. The priority, of course, remains with plain water, but also cranberry juice, herbal teas and unsweetened fruit, berry compotes are also welcome.

Hirudotherapy

Too viscous, thick blood can cause blood clots. And for its liquefaction, leeches are very effective. The saliva of these freshwater worms contains an enzyme - hirudin, which promotes blood thinning, prevents its rapid clotting and normalizes the composition.

But you should not resort to this method on your own, consult your doctor first.

Donation and blood transfusion

If a person is healthy, then one way to reduce the level of elevated hemoglobin can be blood donation -. In addition to the humane mission, you can thus normalize your blood composition.

If the state of health does not allow to be a donor, then a blood transfusion is performed, the essence of which is to take blood, release it from red blood cells and return it to the patient.

Medical therapy

In this case, treatment is reduced to the appointment of drugs that thin the blood. These drugs include Trental, Cardimagnyl, Curantil, Warfarin, Aspirin, Aspirin-cardio, Clopidogrel, Acecardol, etc. These drugs are prescribed only as prescribed by a doctor, taking into account risk factors, contraindications in certain dosages and based on the results of the analysis. Therefore, I will not dwell on this type of treatment in detail.

Folk remedies

And, I already wrote about this, use the tips, because folk remedies sometimes no less effective than drugs.

Pay attention to these folk remedies.

1. Mummy. Dilute 1 capsule (102g) in a small amount warm water and take daily at bedtime for 10 days, a break of 5 days, then repeat the course.
2. For breakfast, eat a small salad made with banana, apricots, and grapes (seedless).
3. The juice or infusion of wood lice helps very well, or you can add wood lice leaves to your vegetable salad.
4. Drink at least 2-2.5 liters of water daily, you can add lemon juice.

Of ours, Russian, infusions of horse chestnut, wormwood, licorice root work perfectly.

Dear readers, today we have analyzed such a serious and common problem as increased hemoglobin in the blood. I wish you to take a closer look at your health and use these tips if necessary. Be healthy!

Much more common low hemoglobin than elevated. Although the level of hemoglobin in the blood can change its performance - then decrease, then increase. But, if hemoglobin is high, then what does this mean for men and women ?

Hemoglobin is a complex protein that is part of red blood cells. Its function is to transport oxygen and carbon dioxide from the lungs to the cells of the organs of the body, and vice versa.

There is a norm of hemoglobin content for men and for women. The amount of this protein is measured in grams per deciliter of blood. For men, the norm is 135-160 g / l, for adults healthy women 120-140 g / l are considered normal values.

With increased hemoglobin, it is safe to say that something is wrong in the body. When the level of hemoglobin is elevated, it is necessary to reduce it to normal as soon as possible. It is very important to find out why hemoglobin is elevated and eliminate the causes. Consider what elevated hemoglobin means and what causes can lead to this condition.

Why does hemoglobin level get high

A high level of hemoglobin indicates that there are more of its carrier cells, that is, red blood cells. Because of this, the blood becomes more viscous and difficult to move through the vessels. As a result, blood clots and blood clots can form, leading to heart attacks and strokes.

Sometimes high rates are the result of chronic conditions. Or, with a decrease in the volume of fluid in the blood, the concentration of red blood cells increases. Also, a lack of oxygen (hypoxia) in some area of ​​the body can cause an increase in hemoglobin. In addition, some foods increase hemoglobin.

Increased hemoglobin in women

In women, elevated hemoglobin is observed quite rarely. As mentioned above, the norm in healthy women varies between 120 and 140 g / l. It is allowed that hemoglobin is increased within 10-20 units, if the indicators are above 20, it should be examined.

Causes can include blood disorders, congenital heart defects, cancer, and cardiopulmonary failure. It is worth noting that high cholesterol in women is much more common, especially after 50 years.

Increased hemoglobin in men - causes

Normal indicators for men are 140 - 160 g per liter of blood. Elevated hemoglobin can be called a level 20 or 30 g higher. The main causes of increased hemoglobin in a man can be:

• Too long and intense physical exercise. Therefore, high hemoglobin in professional cyclists and climbers is considered the norm.
• Prolonged and frequent smoking. Due to smoking, body tissues experience oxygen starvation, which leads to a high concentration of hemoglobin in the blood and the formation of plaques and blood clots in the vessels.
• Functional disruption gastrointestinal tract. The body of a man needs vitamin B12, which cannot be fully absorbed. Natural Vitamin B12 can be ordered from iHerb. A lack of vitamin B12 can lead to pernicious anemia, a disease in which the volume of red blood cells decreases and hemoglobin levels are elevated.
• Erythremia is a disease of elevated hemoglobin, or erythrocytosis is an increase in the volume of red blood cells. They develop due to kidney disease, congenital anomalies of the heart, diseases of the lungs and blood vessels.

Symptoms of an increase in hemoglobin are constant drowsiness, increased fatigue, decreased vision, dysfunction of the genitourinary system, and loss of appetite. Elevated hemoglobin should not be ignored, because the consequences can be the most serious.

Increased hemoglobin - causes

The reasons for the increase in hemoglobin in the blood can be very different. These are violations in the work of some organs and systems of the body, and the influence of special environmental conditions and a person's lifestyle.

As mentioned above, hemoglobin is responsible for transporting oxygen from the lungs to tissues and organs. Therefore, one of the reasons for its increase may be diseases respiratory system and pathology of the cardiovascular system.

Most common among them:

• bronchial asthma;
• tuberculosis;
• heart and lung failure;
• emphysema;
• pneumonia;
• chronic obstructive bronchitis and lung disease;
• congenital heart disease;
• violations of the structure of the heart muscles and departments;
• angina;
• myocarditis.

Also, the causes of high hemoglobin may be the following: serious illness:

• bone marrow dysfunction;
• oncology of the liver, uterus, adrenal glands and kidneys, intestines;
• diabetes;
• chronic hypoxia;
• erythrocytosis;
• true polycythemia;
• intestinal obstruction.

High hemoglobin - if there are no diseases

Among non-disease related causes, you can note:

• smoking;
• living in mountainous areas or at high altitudes, as there is a lower level of oxygen in the air;
• professional sports;
• work related to constant stay at height (stewardesses, climbers);
  use of anabolic steroids.

Besides, cause changes in the blood: genetic diseases, stress, burns, hormonal changes, taking medications with erythropoietin and severe dehydration.

What to do when hemoglobin is high?

In addition, vigorous physical activity, especially swimming and walking in the air, restore the functioning of the bone marrow, which regulates the production of hemoglobin.

So, if hemoglobin is elevated - what does this mean for a person? As we have seen, this is just a symptom of some underlying disease, and not an independent violation. It is important to undergo a thorough medical examination, identify and eliminate the problem.

The importance of hemoglobin for our body cannot be overestimated. This substance is a kind of transport that delivers the oxygen we need to tissues and organs and removes carbon dioxide from the body. There are clear norms for the amount of hemoglobin in human blood. For women, this figure is 120-140 g / l, for men - 135-160 g / l. Many people suffer from low hemoglobin levels. This is a serious problem, because the body is deficient in oxygen. But increasing the rate is no less dangerous!

Increased hemoglobin in the blood: causes

Changes in such an important indicator as the level of hemoglobin indicate that there has been a dysfunction of certain organs and systems. Although in some cases high hemoglobin is the norm - for example, in people living in mountainous areas. This is a compensatory reaction of the body to a lack of oxygen high in the mountains. The main reasons for the increase in hemoglobin in human blood, including in women, are:

• High blood glucose in diabetes
• An increase in the number of red blood cells (erythrocytosis)
• An increase in the amount of hemoglobin in the blood plasma (hemoglobinemia)
• Increase in blood viscosity
• Impaired patency of the intestine
• Oncological diseases
• Lung disease and pulmonary insufficiency
• Disorders in the work of the heart and blood vessels
• An excess of vitamins B6 and B12 in the human body
• Congenital and acquired malformations of the heart and blood vessels
• Some kidney diseases
• Acute dehydration
• Emphysema
• Long history of smoking
• Allergic diseases
• Strong physical activity
• Staying at altitude for a long time, such as living in a mountainous area.

The main symptoms of this condition can be:

1. Violations in the work of the genitourinary system
2. Paleness of the skin
3. visual impairment
4. Constant drowsiness, even when fully rested
5. Fatigue and inability to focus on work for a long time
6. Decreased or complete loss of appetite

These manifestations are visible externally and palpable by the person himself. But much more serious changes are taking place in the body. The fact is that with an increase in the volume of red blood cells, the amount of blood plasma remains unchanged. This leads to thickening of the blood and an increase in its viscosity.

At the same time, the speed of blood movement through the vessels decreases, and the amount of oxygen in tissues and organs decreases. As a result, cells suffer oxygen starvation. They are missing nutrients, metabolic products are poorly excreted. Thick blood is more prone to the formation of plaques and blood clots, which can clog blood vessels. This is a very dangerous condition, which is the main cause of heart attacks and strokes.

Elevated hemoglobin in children: causes

For newborns, high hemoglobin is the norm. The first 2 weeks of a child's life, its level is 140-220 g / l. This is due to the peculiarities of the intrauterine development of the baby.

After 2 weeks, it decreases to 140 g / l. If the amount of the substance does not decrease, you should think about the fact that the child may be sick. Diagnosis should be started as early as possible. It is very important to identify and treat the disease in early age so that it does not bother a person in the future. Elevated hemoglobin can be a symptom of such pathologies:

• Blood diseases
• congenital heart defects
• Heart and lung disorders
• Pulmonary insufficiency
• Heart failure
• Bowel obstruction
• Oncological pathologies

An increase in hemoglobin in the blood in diseases is explained by compensatory mechanisms. In this way children's body tries to compensate for malfunctions in the work of one or another organ and for this includes all the protective forces and regeneration processes. In this case, oxygen is directed to the restoration of damaged tissues.

So, in a child who has been injured or burned, the level of hemoglobin in the blood will certainly increase. The same thing happens with other diseases.

In children who play sports regularly, an increase in hemoglobin may also be detected. Especially if the physical activity is excessive for his age. Physical activity requires large amounts of oxygen, nutrients and energy. And the body tries to provide this by increasing the amount of hemoglobin. In this case, you should not worry - this is normal.

What to do with increased hemoglobin?

If an increase in hemoglobin is associated with a disease, the root cause should be treated first. If his high level due to other factors, you should reconsider your diet. By adhering to certain recommendations, you can bring hemoglobin levels back to normal and improve your well-being.

So, people with a high content of hemoglobin in the blood should completely abandon foods high in iron. They increase blood viscosity and increase cholesterol levels. Prohibited products include:

• Red fruits and berries, especially blackcurrant
• Cereals, especially buckwheat and millet
• Meat by-products
• Red meats
• Butter
• Very fatty milk
• smoked products
• Fatty food
• Peas and dishes from it
• Beans
• Lamb liver
• mussels
• Sesame seeds
• Pine nuts
• Broccoli
• Liver pates
• parsley

It is useful to eat such foods:

• Fish of any kind and seafood (except mussels)
• Chicken meat
• Some legumes
• Fresh raw salads from vegetables and fruits
• Boiled and baked vegetables

In addition to correcting the diet, it is sometimes recommended to take certain medications. As a rule, these are blood thinners, the main purpose of which is to prevent the formation of blood clots and the dangerous conditions associated with them (heart attack, stroke). These drugs include Aspirin, Cardiomagnyl, Trental, etc.

Do not forget about physical activity. Moderate physical activity is useful: walking, swimming, aerobics, fitness, etc.

Useful in this situation will be such a herbal decoction. Take 3 tbsp. l. hawthorn fruit, 2 tbsp. l. swans and strings, and 1 tbsp. l. acacia flower, hop fruits and leaves of the initial letter. Pour the herbal mixture with warm water, bring to a boil and cook, with a gentle boil for 5 minutes. Let the broth brew for an hour, then strain and refrigerate. Take 0.5 tbsp. decoction 6 times a day.

Many experts with an increase in hemoglobin recommend the use of mummy in tablets. Take one tablet once a day, at bedtime. The course of treatment is 10 days. Then you can take a short break and take a second course. During treatment, do not take sedatives and sleeping pills. Alcohol is also strictly prohibited.

Useful in the manifestation of symptoms of pathology, the juice of beets and chokeberry, in a ratio of 1: 1. Take 50 ml three times a day, before the main meals.

Traditional medicine, together with proper nutrition and physical activity, can give amazing results. But you should not rely only on her, nevertheless. For targeted treatment and quick recovery, contact a specialist. The doctor will not only be able to conduct the necessary tests to confirm the level of hemoglobin in the blood, but will also prescribe the correct drug therapy.

Hemoglobin is the main component of red blood cells and is responsible for carrying oxygen from the lungs to the tissues. The concentration of this element is considered one of the most important biochemical indicators of blood. Depending on how high or low the level of hemoglobin in a woman is, one can judge the causes of internal trouble in her body.

What is the normal level of hemoglobin in women?

According to a separate scale, doctors evaluate the level of hemoglobin in the blood of pregnant women. The lower limit of the norm in the I and III trimester of pregnancy is 110 g / l, in the II - 105 g / l. The upper value throughout the entire period of expectation of the child should not exceed 120 g / l.

The significant difference in normal parameters in pregnant and non-pregnant women is explained by the physiological changes that occur in the body of the expectant mother. During gestation, the volume of circulating blood increases by 50%, so it becomes increasingly difficult for the bone marrow to supply hemoglobin in sufficient quantities. Besides, additional expense iron is required for the formation of the placenta and the growing embryo.

The reasons for the increase in hemoglobin in women can be both physiological and pathological. The former include intense physical activity and prolonged exposure to hypoxia (for example, living in a high mountainous area). At the same time, the body begins to experience an acute lack of oxygen, which it compensates for by the “overproduction” of red blood cells. Such deviations from the norm, as a rule, are always insignificant - within 10-20 g / l. They do not alarm doctors and do not require medical intervention.

The situation is much more serious if hemoglobin rises for no apparent reason. This can be a sign of dangerous pathologies, in particular, intestinal obstruction or cardiopulmonary insufficiency.

The most dangerous is when the hemoglobin concentration reaches 180-190 g/L. At the same time, an increase in blood viscosity is observed, microcirculation processes are disrupted, and delivery of oxygen to organs becomes more difficult. Such patients are diagnosed with blue fingertips and toes, fatigue, loss of appetite, absent-mindedness and irritability.

Prolonged circulatory disorders lead to the development of thromboembolism (blockage of blood vessels). Therefore, an excessively high level of hemoglobin is a condition that requires immediate treatment.

How to lower hemoglobin in women?

To reduce hemoglobin, the following measures can be used:

Diet therapy. The patient is asked not to abuse foods high in iron: red meat, animal by-products (liver, kidneys, etc.). Limit the consumption of foods that increase cholesterol levels and blood viscosity ( butter, pork, caviar, confectionery). The diet is recommended to be filled with protein foods: legumes, white meat, fish. Fast food, carbonated drinks, canned food and semi-finished products are completely excluded. Also, during the period of treatment, it is forbidden to take vitamin-mineral complexes containing Vit. B12, folic acid and iron.

taking antiplatelet agents. These drugs thin the blood and reduce the risk of blood clots. However, you should not use them yourself without the appointment of a specialist - you can harm your health. The reasonableness of the use of antiplatelet agents should be consulted with your doctor.

Search for the underlying disease. An increase in hemoglobin indicates a malfunction in the body. To identify the cause of the problem, the doctor must prescribe a comprehensive medical examination.

The condition in which hemoglobin drops below normal is called iron deficiency anemia(or anemia). An experienced doctor is able to detect pathology even before passing laboratory tests, barely looking at the patient who turned to him. Pale face, dry skin, "seizures" in the corners of the mouth, dull hair and sluggish movements are the main symptoms of low hemoglobin. And if, in addition to this, a woman complains of increased fatigue, “flies” in her eyes and frequent dizziness, then the diagnosis does not raise any doubts at all.

In pregnant women, anemia is often accompanied by eating and smell disorders. The desire to eat chalk, coal, sand, sniff whitewash or gasoline is by no means a “cute whim” of a future mother, but a reason to see a doctor.

The danger of anemia lies in the insufficient supply of oxygen to the tissues. At the initial stages of the disease, the body tries to cope with the lack of a vital element, depriving it of the least significant organs from its point of view (hair, nails, teeth). However, over time, oxygen deficiency increases and everyone has to “starve”, including the brain and heart. In order to prevent serious complications, it is important to identify and eliminate the cause of the disease at an early stage of its development.

Causes of low hemoglobin in women

Anemia can be caused by:

Wrong nutrition. In order for hemoglobin to be synthesized in the right amount, a sufficient amount of iron must be supplied to the woman's body with food. Its main source is animal products: meat, liver, kidneys. Plants also contain iron, but in a form that is absorbed much worse. This is why vegetarianism and low-meat diets are becoming one of the most common causes anemia. Excess consumption of foods that inhibit iron absorption can also lead to a decrease in hemoglobin: coffee, tea, chocolate, cereals.

Flaw folic acid, vit. C or vit. B12 in the body. All these elements play an important role in the formation of hemoglobin. Deficiency of vit. B12 is most often caused by helminthic invasion, and a lack of vit. C and folic acid - an unbalanced nutritional diet.

Loss of blood. They can be both obvious (with systematic donation, heavy prolonged menstruation, uterine bleeding), and hidden (blood loss associated with hemorrhoids, ulcerative lesions of the digestive tract, polyps in the large intestine, etc.).

Hypothyroidism. Thyroid hormone - thyroxine - regulates the absorption of iron in the intestine. Its deficiency entails a lack of hemoglobin.

Diseases of the digestive system. , or intestines lead to thinning of the mucous membrane of the digestive tract, as a result of which iron practically ceases to be absorbed.

Premature death of red blood cells. This condition can be caused by long-term infectious diseases (, etc.) or immune disorders (for example, rheumatoid).

Sedentary lifestyle. Physical activity is one of the factors affecting the synthesis of red blood cells. If the blood is not accelerated intensively enough throughout the body, the brain receives signals that there are “enough” erythrocytes and their additional synthesis is not required.

Stress. They can cause a decrease in appetite and, as a result, insufficient intake of iron from food.

What to do if the hemoglobin is 60-80 in a woman?

A hemoglobin level below 80 g/l is considered severe anemia. Correction of the state is carried out taking into account the factor that caused it. To find out the cause of the pathology, a woman is asked to take a series of tests and go through specialists: a gynecologist, a gastroenterologist, an endocrinologist, a nutritionist. After identifying the underlying disease, the patient is selected a set of therapeutic measures aimed at combating it.

These include:

beef, lamb, white rabbit meat,

liver, tongue, kidneys,

egg yolk,

dried apricots, raisins, prunes, figs,

apple and pomegranate juice,

buckwheat soups and porridge

• sprouted grains of wheat,

  plums, green apples,

The body itself is able to regulate the amount of iron absorbed from food - with a shortage, it increases and vice versa.

It is very useful for low hemoglobin to drink plenty of water. Plain water and juices, doctors advise taking 1/4 cup every 30 minutes.

Sample menu for patients with anemia:

We know from school that hemoglobin (HB) is the respiratory pigment of the blood, a protein that contains iron in its structure, and is itself located in red blood cells called erythrocytes. Its role in our body is narrowly specific, but very important.

Hemoglobin transports oxygen to all tissues and organs, takes carbon dioxide from them and transfers it to the lungs “for exhalation”. At the same time, doctors emphasize the exceptional importance of this process, since as a result of its violation, anemia or anemia develops, the extreme manifestations of which are incompatible with life. This is especially true for women and children. Based on the foregoing, it seems that a high level of hemoglobin in the blood is a blessing. However, this is not true.

High hemoglobin is a rare phenomenon, but it is quite dangerous. Normally, the level of hemoglobin is different for everyone, but always meets the parameters of the optimal state of a person. For men, the norm is 135-169 g / l, for women - 120-140 g / l, and for children it depends on age and ranges from 145-225 g / l in the first three days of life to 120-160 g / l at 16 years. An increase in hemoglobin in a child is often caused by a simple excess of vitamin C or iron, which enter the body with food and are corrected by proper nutrition. In men, high hemoglobin is to a very large extent due to smoking, which changes the composition of the blood, increasing the number of red blood cells in it and reducing the amount of oxygen, or alcohol, which causes damage to the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract with a simultaneous violation of the absorption of folic acid and vitamin B12, which are responsible for hematopoiesis . Women are more interesting. Elevated hemoglobin occurs in the fairer sex infrequently, the most common reason for its increase is considered physical activity or permanent residence high in the mountains, where it takes more hemoglobin than usual to transport thin air to the lungs. If everything is normal with the place of residence, then most often the “female” hemoglobin increases due to pregnancy. Multivitamin complexes are to blame for everything, causing a supersaturation of the body of the expectant mother with iron. The cause of high blood hemoglobin can be banal dehydration. However, all of the above reasons are quite “harmless”.

Why is high hemoglobin a cause for concern?

This pathology is not so life-threatening, but it is absolutely not the norm for a healthy person. In other words, sometimes elevated hemoglobin can be the only, but at the same time a very reliable sign of the disease. There are ailments in which the number of red blood cells decreases, and the level of hemoglobin increases, and there are those when both the hemoglobin level and the number of red blood cells increase at the same time. This happens against the background of cardiovascular or pulmonary insufficiency, when the body is forced to increase the production of red blood cells to compensate for the lack of oxygen in the tissues due to poor functioning of the heart and lungs. Or with intestinal obstruction, oncological diseases, erythrocytosis, when, for one reason or another, the production of erythropoietin, a hormone that stimulates the formation of red blood cells, increases. The same can happen if you are taking special drugs that stimulate the production of red blood cells. In addition, high hemoglobin is observed with bone marrow dysfunction.

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

What worries a woman with increased hemoglobin?

The biggest trouble can be called the appearance of long and painful periods. The symptoms of elevated hemoglobin, as a rule, include sleep disorders, deterioration in general well-being, and redness of the skin. Parallel to this, there is an increase in blood pressure and a change in blood viscosity, which in turn leads to vascular thrombosis, the formation of cholesterol plaques and, as a result, to acute cerebrovascular accident or myocardial infarction.

The closest attention to the state of the hemoglobin level makes it possible to diagnose in time, and most importantly, to correct the level of respiratory pigment in the blood in a timely manner. Before implementing a whole range of measures to reduce the concentration of hemoglobin, it is necessary to confirm the diagnosis with a blood test. High hemoglobin is diagnosed with an increase in the norm by 20 g / l or more.

How to correct the level of hemoglobin?

The level of hemoglobin is corrected, first of all, by diet - by a sharp restriction in the daily human diet of proteins and iron of animal origin. What exactly do they contain? In red meat, liver, seafood, cereals, red berries, pomegranate and walnuts. In the case of increased hemoglobin, preference is given to cottage cheese, legumes, raw vegetables and sour-milk products. Often this alone is enough to bring the hemoglobin level back to normal. In addition, it is necessary to completely abandon alcohol, since, in combination with iron, it contributes to the production of harmful substances, destroying the liver, and stimulates the absorption of iron, which further increases the level of hemoglobin in the blood. It should be noted that some nutritional supplements and iron-containing multivitamins also increase hemoglobin levels, as does vitamin C, which is often recommended as an antioxidant.

In addition to the diet, drug therapy is also used with drugs that reduce blood viscosity. Even leeches are used, which are capable of correcting the hemoglobin level to normal for the next 5-6 months. Erythrophoresis is also used - a manipulation aimed at removing "extra" red blood cells from the bloodstream. But this serious procedure is used extremely rarely and only for health reasons. In addition, doctors advise drinking as much liquid as possible, especially in summer, and limiting the use of sweets, since all this also affects the "thickness" of the blood. You need to consume at least 50 ml of water per day for every kilogram of your body weight. Parting with sweets is especially difficult for women, but nothing can be done, you will have to replace sweets and chocolates with fresh or dried fruits. The diet, as well as the complete treatment program, is always strictly individual, therefore it is compiled exclusively by your doctor. The general recommendation for all of us is still a healthy lifestyle to follow in recent times became a very good tone!