Hemoglobin is a component in red blood cells that plays an important role in binding oxygen in the blood. When the body lacks hemoglobin, anemia will occur which can cause a number of complaints and health problems.
Hemoglobin (Hb) is an iron-rich protein in red blood cells which is responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body. This protein also serves to give the blood red color.
In order to function properly, hemoglobin levels in the blood must be within the normal range. Normal Hb levels for adult males are 14-18 g / dL (grams per deciliter). While the normal Hb level for adult women is 12-16 g / dL.
Someone said to have a hemoglobin deficiency if the hemoglobin level is lower than the normal limit. Hb levels can be known through a complete blood test, which is an examination of blood samples that are usually taken from veins in the arm.
In some people, low Hb levels may not cause symptoms. However, if the hemoglobin level is too low and accompanied by symptoms, such as fatigue, headaches, and shortness of breath, the lack of hemoglobin is likely to have developed into anemia or anemia.
Conditions That Cause Body Hemoglobin Deficiency
Hemoglobin deficiency can be caused by a number of diseases that cause red blood cell levels in the body to decrease. This condition occurs because of three things, namely:
Hb production decreases
Some conditions or diseases that can cause the production of hemoglobin in the body are reduced, among others:
- Iron deficiency anemia.
- Aplastic anemia.
- Lack of nutrients needed to produce red blood cells, such as vitamin B12 or folic acid.
- Chronic kidney failure or severe liver damage.
- Blood cancer.
- Hypothyroidism.
- Side effects of certain drugs, such as chemotherapy drugs and antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) for HIV infection.
Abnormalities in hemoglobin
Some disorders can damage hemoglobin faster than the body's ability to make it. The condition for the disorder can be:
- Porphyria.
- Splenomegaly or swelling of the spleen.
- Vasculitis or inflammation of the blood vessels.
- Hemolytic anemia.
- Thalassemia.
- Sickle cell anemia.
The body loses blood
Some conditions that can cause the body to lose blood, including:
- Bleeding due to injury or surgery.
- Gastrointestinal bleeding due to peptic ulcers, hemorrhoids, or colon cancer.
- Urinary tract bleeding.
- Menorraghia or heavy menstruation.
- Frequent blood donation.
- Chronic infections, such as intestinal worms.
Low hemoglobin levels do not always indicate serious things. However, this condition should still be checked by a doctor because it could be a sign of a certain disease, especially if it has caused severe symptoms.
The symptoms that arise due to lack of hemoglobin can be similar to the symptoms of anemia in general and are accompanied by certain symptoms according to the underlying disease.
How to Overcome Hemoglobin Deficiency
Hemoglobin deficiency can be overcome by increasing hemoglobin levels or treating diseases that cause hemoglobin levels to decrease. Because it can be caused by many things, then the lack of hemoglobin should be checked by a doctor further.
After the doctor discovers what causes the body to lack hemoglobin or anemia, there are a number of steps that can be done or recommended by the doctor, including:
1. Increase your intake of iron, vitamin B12, and folate
Iron, vitamin B12, and folate are nutrients that play an important role in the production of hemoglobin-rich red blood cells. Therefore, if your body lacks hemoglobin, you need to increase your intake of foods rich in iron, vitamin B12, and folate, such as:
- Beef liver or chicken liver.
- Meat.
- Seafood, such as fish, shrimp and shellfish.
- Green vegetables, such as spinach, broccoli and kale.
- Nuts, such as green beans, kidney beans, and soybeans.
- Cereals fortified with iron or folate.
In addition to food, your doctor may give supplements that contain iron, folate, and vitamin B12 to increase the amount of hemoglobin in the body.
Although generally safe for consumption, some people can experience some side effects, such as nausea, constipation, abdominal pain, and the color of stools becoming black, when consuming iron tablets. Therefore, make sure the dosage of supplements taken in accordance with doctor's recommendation.
In addition to the above intake, you can also consume foods that contain vitamin C to help the body absorb more iron.
2. Erythropoietin therapy
Erythropoietin therapy is hormone therapy to stimulate the production of red blood cells. This treatment option is for anemia due to severe kidney disease which causes inadequate production of the hormone erythropoietin. The use of this hormone can also be used to treat anemia due to side effects of chemotherapy, bone marrow disorders, and anemia caused by cancer.
3. Blood transfusion
Blood transfusion is needed to increase Hb in conditions when the body is unable to make Hb normally, for example due to thalassemia and sickle cell anemia. Blood transfusion is also given in severe anemia when the hemoglobin level has dropped far below the normal limit.
People who routinely receive blood transfusions need to do iron chelation therapy to prevent excess iron levels due to transfusion.
4. Stem cell therapy
This therapy is one of the treatment options for treating hemoglobin diseases, such as thalassemia. Thalassemia patients must routinely get blood transfusions so that the need for hemoglobin is fulfilled, but can pose a risk if done long term.
Stem cell therapy is done by graft surgery or bone marrow transplantation to support normal Hb production. However, this procedure has its drawbacks, namely the risk of fatal complications and expensive operating costs. Therefore, it is necessary to have a good medical examination and consideration before undergoing this procedure.
If you experience symptoms of hemoglobin deficiency (anemia) or have health problems that are at risk of causing hemoglobin deficiency, immediately see a doctor to undergo examination and get adequate treatment.
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