"Oh, doctor, I've been feeling very tired for a while now. Even doing a little work makes me feel weak. My body feels like it's dead." Are you familiar with this kind of story? Perhaps you too are suffering from this condition. One of the main reasons for this constant feeling of tiredness and weakness may be a decrease in the level of hemoglobin in your body. Today, let's talk about this simply, in a way that everyone can understand.
Simply put, what is hemoglobin?
Imagine that there is a delivery service that carries oxygen throughout our bodies. The vehicles of that delivery service are the red blood cells in our blood. So, the person who carries the oxygen packets inside that vehicle is called hemoglobin . Hemoglobin is a special protein found inside red blood cells. This is what takes oxygen from the lungs and delivers it to every cell in the body.
So, what happens when this hemoglobin level decreases? It's like the oxygen packets in delivery service vehicles decrease. Then our cells don't get enough oxygen to produce the energy they need. That's why we start feeling tired, lethargic, and lethargic all the time.
What should be the hemoglobin level?
Hemoglobin levels vary slightly between men and women. Generally, healthy levels are as follows:
| Person | Healthy hemoglobin level (gm/dL) | Considered a low level |
|---|---|---|
| Men | 14.0 - 17.5 gm/dL | Less than 13.0 gm/dL |
| Female (non-pregnant) | 12.3 - 15.3 gm/dL | Less than 12.0 gm/dL |
The most important thing is, don't base your decisions on these numbers alone. If your blood test shows low hemoglobin, you should definitely talk to your doctor about what it means and what to do about it.
Why is this hemoglobin level decreasing?
There are several possible causes of low hemoglobin. They can be divided into several main categories.
1. Insufficient production of red blood cells in the body
Our bone marrow is the factory that makes red blood cells. If any disease interferes with the work of this factory, red blood cell production decreases.
- Cancer: In some types of cancer, such as lymphoma , leukemia , or multiple myeloma , cancer cells take over the bone marrow and interfere with the production of red blood cells.
- Chronic Kidney Disease: Our kidneys produce a hormone that signals the bone marrow to make red blood cells. In kidney disease, this process is impaired.
- Aplastic Anemia: This is when the bone marrow is unable to produce enough blood cells.
- Certain medications: Chemotherapy treatments for cancer or some antiviral medications can damage the bone marrow.
2. Blood flowing out or in from the body
If we lose even a little blood, we lose iron and hemoglobin.
- Menstruation: Some women may experience a decrease in hemoglobin due to heavy bleeding during menstruation.
- Internal bleeding: You may not be able to see the bleeding inside your body from something like an ulcer, but it can also cause a decrease in hemoglobin.
- Wound: Bleeding caused by a major injury.
3. Rapid destruction of red blood cells
Normally, a red blood cell lives for about 120 days. However, due to some diseases, these cells break down and are destroyed quickly.
- Splenomegaly: The spleen is an organ in our body that filters out old and damaged red blood cells. If the spleen becomes swollen due to certain diseases, it can trap and destroy more red blood cells than normal.
- Sickle Cell Anemia and Thalassemias: These are hereditary blood diseases that affect the structure of hemoglobin.
4. Nutritional deficiencies
There are several essential nutrients that are needed to make red blood cells and hemoglobin. If you don't get enough of them through your diet, your hemoglobin will decrease.
- Iron deficiency: Iron is essential for the production of hemoglobin. The condition that occurs when iron is deficient is called iron-deficiency anemia .
- Vitamin B12 and B9 (folic acid) deficiency: These vitamins are also essential for red blood cell production.
How do you know if your hemoglobin is low?
The only way to know for sure is to have a blood test . Your doctor will order a Full Blood Count (FBC) . This will check your red blood cell count and hemoglobin levels. Sometimes, other tests, such as a Hemoglobin Electrophoresis , may be done to find the cause.
What can be done to restore hemoglobin levels?
This is treated by finding and treating the underlying cause of the low hemoglobin.
Don't try to treat low hemoglobin on your own. Taking iron pills without properly diagnosing the cause can be dangerous.
The doctor will find the cause and prescribe the appropriate treatment. For example:
- If you have iron deficiency: Take iron supplements or iron-rich foods.
- If there is a vitamin deficiency: Give vitamin B12 or folic acid tablets.
- If you have kidney disease: During treatment for the disease, you may be given injections that stimulate red blood cell production.
- If there is bleeding: Treatment is given to stop the bleeding.
- In severe cases: A blood transfusion may be necessary.
Things you can do at home
Along with treatment, it is very important to eat a balanced diet rich in iron and other nutrients.
- Red meat (beef) and parts such as liver, gizzards
- Fish
- Dark green vegetables and herbs (spinach, kale, collard greens, spinach)
- Legumes like lentils, chickpeas, green beans, and peas
- Dried fruits and nuts such as raisins, dates
Take-Home Message
- If you have symptoms like constant fatigue, weakness, paleness, and difficulty breathing, don't ignore them.
- Low hemoglobin is a symptom, not a disease. It is essential to find the underlying medical condition that is causing it.
- If your blood test shows low hemoglobin, be sure to see your doctor to clarify the matter and get the right treatment.
- Never use iron tablets or other nutritional supplements without medical advice.
- Maintaining a nutritious, balanced diet goes a long way in maintaining healthy hemoglobin levels.
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