Tiredness, weakness, shortness of breath, and dizziness can all be a result of anaemia, a condition that occurs when your body produces low amounts of healthy Red Blood Cells (RBCs). This can deprive your body of oxygen-rich blood, which can in turn lead to complications. The oxygen-carrying protein in the RBCs is called haemoglobin, which is most likely to be low if you are anaemic. But do you know what causes low haemoglobin levels in your body? Speaking with the Only My Health editorial team, Dr Akash Shah, Consultant Pathologist, Neuberg Diagnostics, Ahmedabad, helps with the answers.
Also Read: Hepatomegaly: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis And Treatment
What Is Haemoglobin?
As discussed, haemoglobin is a protein found in the RBCs that is responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body to each and every cell from lungs to various tissues and organs. According to Dr Shah, it also helps to transport carbon-dioxide, a waste product from tissue back to the lungs for elimination.
“Haemoglobin consists of protein chains called globins, each bound to molecule heme. The heme group contains iron, which allows haemoglobin to bind with oxygen and give its characteristic red colour,” the doctor explained.
Lack of RBCs and haemoglobin can cause anaemia, which accounts for 40% cases of children (6–59 months of age), 37% cases of pregnant women, and 30% cases of women 15–49 years of age worldwide, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
What Is The Normal Range Of Haemoglobin in Men And Women?
As per Dr Shah, normal range of haemoglobin for adults are as follows:
- Men: 13.0 to 17.0 g/dL
- Women: 12.0 to 15.0 g/dL
A low haemoglobin count is generally defined as less than 13.2 g/dL of blood for men and less than 11.6 g/dL for women. Low haemoglobin levels can cause symptoms, such as extreme tiredness and weakness, along with respiratory issues.
Cause Of Low Haemoglobin Level
Low haemoglobin levels may be caused by several factors. These include:
- Iron deficiency
- Vitamin deficiencies, such as vitamin B12 and folate; these can impair the production of RBCs and lead to anaemia
- Chronic diseases, such as chronic kidney disease, cancer
- Blood loss
- Genetic disorders like thalassemia and sickle cell disease
- Bone marrow disorders
Ways To Improve Haemoglobin Levels In The Body
Depending on what is causing low haemoglobin levels in your body, you can proceed with a treatment plan. According to Dr Shah, these include:
- An iron-rich diet or iron supplementation
- Vitamin supplementation
- Avoiding iron inhibitors, such as calcium, phytates, polyphenols
- Diagnosing and treating underlying conditions, such as kidney disease or inflammatory bowel disease, which may be causing anaemia
- Blood transfusion
Bottomline
A blood report that reads low haemoglobin should not be taken lightly. It can be due to several factors, which is why consulting a healthcare profession is of utmost importance. The earlier you get your diagnosis, the easier it will be to treat the underlying conditions on time, preventing further complications.
