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Haemoglobin HB Test

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Hemoglobin Test Overview

Hemoglobin is responsible for carrying oxygen in the blood. Hemoglobin tests are used to diagnose diseases and monitor treatments. They can also be used to screen for gene mutations or other abnormalities. 

A hemoglobin test consists of taking a sample of your blood and measuring the amount of hemoglobin present. This information can help doctors determine whether you have any diseases, understand your treatment options, or assess how well you're recovering from an illness.

What is it used for?

A hemoglobin test is used to determine if you have anaemia, a condition in which there are not enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen to the body's tissues. Many things, including bleeding, can cause anaemia, damage to red blood cells, or not getting enough iron in your diet. If you have anaemia, you may feel tired, weak, and short of breath. 

Haemoglobin (HEE-muh-glow-bin) is an oxygen-carrying protein. It is found inside red blood cells (erythrocytes). Red blood cells transport oxygen from the lungs to tissues and organs throughout the body. It returns carbon dioxide to the lungs.

The amount of haemoglobin levels in the blood is measured as part of a complete blood count (CBC) test. A haemoglobin blood test allows doctors to determine the number of red blood cells in the body. If haemoglobin levels are found abnormal, a person may be suffering from a blood disorder.0020

People with the following symptoms should do the Haemoglobin Test:

Your doctor may recommend a haemoglobin test if you are experiencing

  • Weakness
  • Fatigue
  • Shortness of breath
  • Dizziness
  • Cold hands and feet
  • Pale skin
  • Irregular heartbeat and heart palpitations

Written by: Dr Vishal Wadhwa, M.D, D.N.B Microbiology, Medical Affairs

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Haemoglobin HB Test Price

Metropolis Healthcare is a leading diagnostics centre and pathology lab in India equipped with the latest state-of-the-art technologies that provides the Haemoglobin HB Test with a clear pricing structure.

The Haemoglobin HB Test Price in Mumbai is ₹ 180 .

We are committed to deliver accurate and quality results from the best labs in India with complete transparency regarding test cost and turnaround time. No matter where you are, we strive to offer patients high-quality service that is affordable and accessible.

Frequently Asked Questions

A hemoglobin test is usually done as a part of the routine health check-up. This test helps to find out if there are any problems with the level of hemoglobin in your blood. Hemoglobin is an important protein that carries oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body.

A haemoglobin test is ordered for a variety of reasons, including:

  1. To track a medical condition. If we have anaemia or polycythemia vera, a doctor may order a haemoglobin test to monitor our health status and guide the treatment.
  2. To determine the cause of an illness. If we're feeling weak, exhausted, short of breath, or have dizziness, our doctor may recommend a haemoglobin test. These symptoms may show anaemia or polycythemia vera.
  3. To assess overall health. During a regular medical examination, the doctor may test haemoglobin levels as part of a complete blood count to monitor our overall health.

The hemoglobin test measures the amount of hemoglobin in your blood. Hemoglobin is an iron-rich protein that gives red blood cells their colour. Hemoglobin is essential for carrying oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. 

A haemoglobin test measures how much haemoglobin is in our blood. The amount of haemoglobin one has shows the health of our red blood cells. A healthcare provider can use the haemoglobin level to diagnose blood diseases and other issues.

Complete Process Involved

A hemoglobin test is usually done as part of a complete blood count (CBC). When you have your test, a small sample will be taken and sent off for analysis in order to determine what type or level of your hemoglobin may currently exist. This process could take up to two days but is often quicker than expected!

Precautions to be Taken

There are a few precautions you should take when having a hemoglobin test:

  • You should also avoid taking any medications that contain iron or vitamins C or E for 24 hours before the test.
  • Make sure to drink plenty of water before the test, and drink plenty of fluids after the test too (especially if you have any pain or soreness). This will help your blood flow freely and reduce the risk of complications.
  • Wear comfortable clothing that will not constrict your veins. Avoid tight clothes or belts, as they can cause vein damage and delay blood flow.
  • Bring a book or magazine with you so that you can relax while waiting for results. You may also want to bring snacks and drinks for later if there is an unexpected wait time.
  • If possible, avoid taking aspirin or other NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) several days prior to the test because they might interfere with the results.
After the Test

After a hemoglobin test, it is important to take precautions in order to ensure the results are accurate and safe. Here are three key tips:

  • Wait at least two hours after taking the sample before having any other blood tests or medical procedures done. This gives your body time to rest and reduce the chance of seeing false results from earlier testing.
  • Do not exercise for at least 48 hours after taking the test. Hemoglobin levels can be temporarily raised during strenuous activity, which could cause inaccurate readings on subsequent tests.
  • Avoid drinking alcohol for 24 hours following your hemoglobin test because it can increase levels of certain proteins in your blood and affect how well the assay works.

Here are some major symptoms of low hemoglobin levels that could lead to anaemia: 

  • Low oxygen level
  • Fatigue
  • Shortness of breath
  • Dizziness
  • Lightheadedness
  • Pale skin
  • Irregular heartbeat 

If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, it's important to see a doctor so that they can run some tests and determine if you have a low level of hemoglobin. 

There are many foods that can help to increase your hemoglobin levels. The most important thing is to make sure you are getting enough iron in your diet. Some good sources of iron include spinach, red meat, and fortified cereals. Eating foods high in vitamin C can help your body to absorb iron more effectively. Some good sources of vitamin C include citrus fruits, bell peppers, and broccoli.

If you have a hemoglobin test result that comes back as positive or negative, what should you do?

If your hemoglobin test comes back positive, it means you have anaemia. There are many possible causes of anaemia, including iron deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency, and certain chronic diseases. Treatments for anaemia vary depending on the cause but may include taking iron supplements or vitamin B12 injections. 

If your hemoglobin test comes back negative, it means you do not have anaemia

Ideal hemoglobin range:
  • Adult men: 13.5-17.5 gm/dL
  • Adult women: 12 to 15.5 gm/dL 

Here’s what it means if you have low/high hemoglobin level: 

Low Hemoglobin Level

A low hemoglobin level may indicate anaemia, which means you have fewer than normal red blood cells or your red blood cells are not functioning properly. Anaemia can cause fatigue, shortness of breath, and other symptoms.

High Hemoglobin Level

A high hemoglobin level may indicate dehydration, heart disease, or another condition. 
If your Hemoglobin levels are abnormal, your healthcare provider will likely order additional tests to determine the cause. 

Get the best hemoglobin test price with Metropolis! You can now book hemoglobin tests at home under the supervision of medical experts from Metropolis. Booking hemoglobin tests online is now easier than ever before.

Low haemoglobin levels may represent the body's decreased haemoglobin production, decreased RBC production, or RBC breakdown or loss. Low haemoglobin levels are linked to:

    • Kidney disease
    • Liver disease
    • Cancer
    • Chemotherapy treatment
    • Radiation treatment
    • Malnutrition
    • Malaria

When RBCs become critically low during a crisis, diseases such as sickle cell disease, thalassemia, and glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency can induce low haemoglobin levels. The most common cause of low haemoglobin levels is iron deficiency.

High haemoglobin levels may indicate that the body is producing too many RBCs or that the body has a low fluid volume, as in dehydration. Keep in mind that increased haemoglobin is a symptom of poor health, even if it is the result of the body correcting for disease (such as lung or heart disease).

High haemoglobin levels are linked to:

    • Smoking
    • Kidney cancer
    • Chronic lung disease
    • Heart failure
    • Living at a high altitude
    • Dehydration

A haemoglobin test does not need any added preparation. Sometimes, a haemoglobin test is performed with other blood tests that need us to fast or a specific period prior to the test.

The blood sample is taken from a vein in our arm, using a small needle. The healthcare provider will first swab the skin with alcohol. They'll wrap an elastic band over the upper arm. They will instruct us to create a fist. This will enable blood flow. They will then put a tiny needle into a vein. A blood sample will be taken.

For adults, the normal range for haemoglobin levels is 12 grammes per deciliter to 17.4 grammes per deciliter of blood. However, levels can differ depending on a person's age, race, and gender.

High haemoglobin levels should be taken seriously. It normally happens when the body needs more oxygen-carrying capability, which happens when you smoke or live at a high elevation area, your RBC production naturally increases to compensate for the lower oxygen supply.

A high haemoglobin can result in blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes. It could also be an indication of another problem, such as lung or heart disease. It is a dangerous long-term condition that can be fatal if not treated.

In general, a low haemoglobin count is defined as less than 13.2 grammes of haemoglobin per deciliter (132 grammes per litre) of blood for men and less than 11.6 grammes per deciliter (116 grammes per litre) for women.

Adults with severe anaemia may suffer issues affecting their hearts or lungs. You could develop tachycardia. It is an excessively fast heartbeat or heart failure. This occurs when the heart fails to pump enough blood throughout your body at adequate pressure.

If you have been identified with acute or chronic anaemia, you should know that it is treatable. Anaemia is treated with a variety of methods This includes blood transfusions to restore severely depleted red blood cells (RBCs) caused by blood loss. Anaemia is sometimes treated with vitamin replacement. This is to enable the body to produce its own RBCs.

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