If you have been feeling tired and out of breath more often than usual, it is important to get your hemoglobin levels checked. Hemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body.
Low hemoglobin can be caused by many different things, including anemia, pregnancy, smoking, and heavy bleeding.
In this blog post, we will discuss the various causes of low hemoglobin and what you can do to increase your levels.
Definition Of Hemoglobin
Hemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body. Oxygen is essential for all cells: red or white blood cells, and hemoglobin helps to ensure that oxygen is delivered to all of the body’s tissues. Each hemoglobin molecule consists of four iron atoms that bind to oxygen molecules.
When hemoglobin picks up oxygen from the lungs, it turns bright red. As the blood circulates through the body, the hemoglobin releases oxygen to the tissues and turns a dark reddish-brown color. Once the hemoglobin has delivered its oxygen, it returns to the lungs to pick up more oxygen.
This cycle ensures that all of the body’s cells receive the oxygen they need to function properly.
What Is A Low Hemoglobin Count?
Low hemoglobin is a type of anemia that occurs when the level of hemoglobin in the red blood cells is low. Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen.
Anemia
Anemia is a blood condition in which there’s an absence of enough healthy red blood cells to transport the optimal amount of oxygen to the body’s tissues. Symptoms of anemia include fatigue, pale skin, shortness of breath, and dizziness.
There are many different types of anemia, like iron deficiency anemia, vitamin deficiency anemia, sickle cell anemia, and hemolytic anemia and each has its own cause.
Vitamin deficiency anemia is an absence of healthy red blood cells due to low amounts of vitamin B-12 and folate. While hemolytic anemia is when there’s the destruction of red blood cells before red blood cell production. Some common causes of anemia include blood loss, vitamin deficiencies, and bone marrow problems.
How To Diagnose Low Hemoglobin Count
A low hemoglobin score can often be found in a complete blood count test. Hemoglobin is a protein in blood that provides oxygen through cellular processes in our bodies. The lowest hemoglobin count can be found in men at 13.2g/dl and women at less than 16.8g/dl. Depending upon the age and gender of the child, it is defined differently in the complete blood count test.
This threshold may vary wildly between different medical practices. In most cases, a low hemoglobin level is not harmful to you. The presence of anemia can cause severe and pronounced symptoms.
Causes Of Low Hemoglobin Count
Low hemoglobin count can have a variety of causes. And some of the causes are:
Iron Deficiency
One common cause of low hemoglobin count is iron deficiency, which can occur when iron is not adequate in the diet or when the body is unable to digest iron from the food that is consumed. Iron is necessary for the production of hemoglobin, so a lack of iron can lead to iron-deficiency anemia. This is a decrease in hemoglobin levels in the red blood cells.
Blood Loss
Another possible cause of low hemoglobin count in red blood cells is blood loss. This can occur due to bleeding from an injury or surgery, or it may be a result of chronic blood loss from conditions such as ulcers or cancer.
This usually results in iron deficiency anemia.
Medications
In addition, certain medications like chemotherapy drugs or drugs for kidney disease may destroy red blood cells and cause low hemoglobin count.
Medical Conditions
Certain medical conditions may also cause a low hemoglobin count. For example, kidney disease and bone marrow cancer can interfere with the production of red blood cells.
Exposure To Toxins
One of the most important substances in our blood is hemoglobin. This protein gives our blood its red color and enables it to carry oxygen to all the cells in our body. Without a healthy level of hemoglobin, we would quickly become sick and our bodies would not be able to function properly. Unfortunately, there are many things that can cause a low hemoglobin count, including toxins.
Toxins can come from a variety of sources, and the sources include air pollution, household cleaners, and pesticides. When these toxins enter our bloodstream, they can damage or destroy the hemoglobin molecules.
Alcohol Consumption
Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that has a variety of effects on the body, including the red blood cells. When consumed, alcohol leads to an increase in the production of enzymes that break down hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.
The breakdown of hemoglobin reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, which can cause a low hemoglobin count. Alcohol also inhibits the production of new red blood cells, further reducing the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.
In addition, alcohol consumption can cause nutritional deficiencies that can lead to the production of fewer red blood cells, a condition characterized by low hemoglobin levels. Heavy alcohol use can also damage the liver, which is responsible for producing enzymes that help to break down hemoglobin. Liver damage can lead to a build-up of toxins in the blood, which can also cause low hemoglobin levels.
Smoking
Smoking is a leading cause of low hemoglobin levels. When you smoke, the chemicals in cigarettes damage the hemoglobin and make it less able to carry oxygen. This can cause the production of fewer red blood cells, which can make you feel tired and weak.
Smoking also decreases the production of erythropoietin, a hormone that helps the body make new red blood cells. As a result, smokers are at an increased risk of developing low hemoglobin levels.
However, smoking is one of the most preventable causes of low hemoglobin. If you smoke, quitting is the best way to improve your hemoglobin levels and protect your health.
Treatments Of Low Hemoglobin Level
Low hemoglobin levels can be caused by many different factors, including blood loss, malnutrition, and certain medical conditions. Treatments for low hemoglobin levels will vary depending on the underlying cause ascertained by a blood test.
- Iron Supplements: If low hemoglobin levels are due to blood loss, treatment may involve transfusions of packed enough red blood cells or iron supplements.
- Dietary Change: If low hemoglobin levels are due to malnutrition, treatment may involve dietary changes or supplementation with vitamins and minerals.
- Medication: If low hemoglobin levels are due to a medical condition, treatment may involve medication or other therapies like blood transfusions.
In all cases, it is important to work with a healthcare provider to determine the best course of treatment. With proper diagnosis and treatment, most people with low hemoglobin levels can improve their condition and lead healthy lives.
Final Thoughts
There are many potential causes of low hemoglobin levels. Some of the most common include exposure to toxins, alcohol consumption, smoking, and certain medical conditions.
With proper diagnoses with a blood test and treatment, most people with low hemoglobin levels can improve their condition and lead healthy lives.