Hemoglobin 155 in women. Increased hemoglobin in the blood causes and treatment

An elevated hemoglobin B level in women is a rare phenomenon. If it suddenly turns out that its content is more than 140 g/l, then you should think about the reason for the increase. First you need to find out the number of red blood cells. If it is also higher than normal, then we are most likely talking about functional changes in the blood, but if it is normal or reduced, the presence of a disease cannot be ruled out, which must be determined by examination.

Causes of elevated hemoglobin in women

Factors that cause an increase in hemoglobin in women include: relate:

• Permanent stay in high mountain areas, at altitudes not lower than 2 km. The higher it is, the more pronounced hyperhemoglobinemia (increased hemoglobin content in the blood) is. The body tries to compensate for the lack of oxygen by increasing the number of red blood cells - erythrocytes, as well as the amount of hemoglobin found in them. This change is not pathological, since it is functional, adaptive in nature.
• Monotonous, long-term physical and sports activities. Constant tension requires an increased amount of necessary oxygen, which is achieved by deepening and increasing breathing, and over time, changing the hemoglobin content.
• Physiological fluid loss. Hot climate, work with increased sweating, reduced water consumption, all these are factors that contribute to blood thickening and a relative increase in hemoglobin levels.
• Intestinal infectious diseases, in which, against the background of fluid loss due to vomiting and diarrhea, plasma leaves the blood, and the relative number of red blood cells with hemoglobin increases. This phenomenon is temporary, since if diarrhea continues for a long time, the woman will develop anemia.
• Hemoglobin can increase in cases of mental illness that occur with severe symptoms, cases of chronic cardiac and respiratory failure, and many other pathologies. In some situations, hyperhemoglobinemia occurs in the acute phase of the disease, in others - in the chronic phase.
• Vaquez's disease. In this disease, the growth of red blood cells and hemoglobin has a malignant course.
• Treatment of ailments associated with taking diuretics (hypertension, kidney disease).
• Problems in the intestines that prevent the absorption of vitamin B12 and the products from which it can be synthesized.
• Taking vitamin complexes during pregnancy can lead to excessive absorption of iron (due to enzymatic disorders) and, as a result, an increase in hemoglobin in the blood.
• Increase in hemoglobin during pregnancy.
• Cases of increased hemoglobin of unknown nature.

Physiological hyperhemoglobinemia is not manifested by any painful sensations or conditions, that is, it is asymptomatic.

If increased hemoglobin is caused by a disease, then the patient may notice:

• local areas of redness of the skin;
• painful sensations in the body with dizziness and weakness;
• thirst and dry mucous membranes;
• fluctuations in blood pressure numbers;
• mental disorders in the form of mood swings and emotional instability;
• painful and prolonged periods.

As you can see, the symptomatic picture is similar to other diseases. Therefore, it is impossible to find out about an increased hemoglobin level only on the basis of complaints.

Pathological hyperhemoglobinemia in a patient can be complicated by the development of angina pain, transient cerebrovascular accidents, and ischemic stroke, which occurs due to increased thrombus formation and blood viscosity.

Note:in most cases, a high level of hemoglobin is a secondary condition, an accompanying symptom of some disease.

Methods of treatment and correction of elevated hemoglobin in women

The need to reduce hemoglobin levels in the blood of women is determined by the condition or disease that led to the disorder.

Functional types of hyperhemoglobinemia generally do not require intervention and go away on their own when the provoking factor is eliminated. For example, a hot climate and reduced water consumption. When returning to normal conditions, hemoglobin numbers drop to normal.

If the cause of increased hemoglobin is a disease, then only its treatment can bring the indicator back to normal.

Note: There are no specific drugs that can reduce hemoglobin levels, but here is a correction diet quite possible.

• fermented milk drinks, cheeses, low-fat varieties of cottage cheese;
• green fruits and vegetables;
• rice, other cereals, except buckwheat;

Important:A diet for high hemoglobin, as well as drug treatment, is prescribed only by a doctor. Independent experiments can lead to undesirable consequences.

Preventive measures for elevated hemoglobin in women

Prevention of increased hemoglobin in women consists of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, quitting smoking and alcohol. Normal nutrition, fresh air, a calm family atmosphere are the key to the health of any woman. It is important to remember that much depends on the personal reaction to all environmental stimuli. We must learn to live correctly. And it's never too late to do this!

Stepanenko Vladimir, surgeon

While many people have experienced a decrease in hemoglobin in the blood, not all have experienced an increase. This disorder occurs quite rarely, and for some people it is not even a pathology. But still, this violation is often evidence of dysfunction of internal organs.

Therefore, at the first signs of increased hemoglobin, the causes and treatment of which are closely interrelated, you should consult a doctor.

A correct diagnosis will help correct the situation, but the problem must not be ignored under any circumstances, otherwise serious complications can arise.

What is increased hemoglobin and why is it dangerous?

Let's take a closer look at the causes of high hemoglobin and the treatment of this abnormality before it leads to serious health problems. Hemoglobin is a protein that transports oxygen and carbon dioxide along the lung-cell route.

The normal concentration for men is 140 g/l, and for women - 130 g/l. Doctors also note that each age category has individual indicators.

A change in the concentration of this protein by 20 units is considered a deviation from the norm. When hemoglobin decreases, doctors talk about the development of oxygen starvation (hypoxia), which can provoke premature tissue death. If the amount of protein increases excessively, then the number of red blood cells also increases.

And this, in turn, leads to blood thickening, which can cause serious disorders:

• thrombosis;
• stroke;
• heart attack;
• pulmonary thromboembolism.

Such consequences arise only due to the high concentration of hemoglobin and red blood cells. But the violation can be secondary, i.e. the result of any illness. And therein lies an even greater danger!

Signs of high hemoglobin levels

It is not so easy to identify a disorder based on a person’s external signs. Symptoms are general and do not indicate a specific disease:

• lethargy, fatigue;
• redness of the skin in some areas;
• insomnia or drowsiness;
• decreased appetite;
• increased blood pressure;
• headache and dizziness;
• increased thrombus formation;
• skin itching;
• joint pain.

But this does not mean that every person with elevated hemoglobin will have similar symptoms. People live for years and do not even realize the concentration of this protein, and they avoid unpleasant sensations. Why do doctors sound the alarm in some cases, but not pay attention to others? It's all about the reasons for high hemoglobin.

High hemoglobin in men, women, children - causes of increased hemoglobin

Sometimes protein concentration is not associated with a disease, but indicates a natural reaction of the body. For example, high above sea level, the rarefaction of air reaches such a value that people living in these conditions simply do not have enough of it. As a result, the body increases the synthesis of hemoglobin in order to capture as many oxygen molecules as possible - a sort of adaptive reaction.

With increased hemoglobin in men, the reasons may lie in physical activity. Constantly working muscles need a lot of oxygen, which is why protein concentration increases. Usually athletes encounter this, and they do not have any unpleasant feelings about it.

There is another reason that doctors do not consider a pathology - smoking. Tobacco smoke is also carried by red blood cells, as are oxygen and carbon dioxide. However, during any combustion, carbon monoxide is formed, and its connection with hemoglobin is so strong that the protein loses its ability to transport molecules.

As a result, the number of red blood cells increases, and a blood test shows high hemoglobin levels. By the way, this also includes a long-term lack of fresh air in production areas (mines, factories, etc.).

The reason for this course of events may be dehydration, which develops due to heat, increased sweating or frequent urination. Water also leaves the blood, and not just the tissues. As a result, the same amount of formed elements is contained in less plasma.

This phenomenon in medicine is called a false increase in hemoglobin. However, such a sign may indicate liver damage, intestinal infection or poisoning, so the examination is still worth undergoing.

Doctors do not classify the causes of increased hemoglobin in the blood in women as a separate category. In the case of a decrease in protein concentration, there are purely female problems (pregnancy, menstruation), and an increase in it is considered in the same way as for men.

For many people, this change acts as a natural mechanism for the body to compensate for the lack of oxygen, but sometimes it is due to more serious factors:

1. Cardiovascular diseases(a decrease in the volume of transported blood leads to oxygen starvation).
2. Respiratory system diseases(lack of lung function causes low air intake).
3. Oncological diseases(during the growth process, cancer cells use large amounts of oxygen).
4. Bone marrow dysfunction(excessive production of hemoglobin).
5. Adrenal gland dysfunction(erythropoietin increases synthesis in the erythrocyte series).
6. Severe burns, intestinal infections and poisoning(provoke the release of toxins and dehydration).
7. Liver diseases(reduce the amount of protein that retains fluid in the blood).
8. Diabetes(glucose binds to hemoglobin, forming an inextricable connection).

Children and teenagers

During intrauterine development, the child does not breathe through the lungs, but takes in air directly from the mother’s blood. Naturally, there are not enough oxygen molecules for two (mother and fetus), so the child’s body adapts by increasing the amount of hemoglobin.

In addition, observations of recent decades show intrauterine hypoxia, which is caused by placental insufficiency. This often causes too high hemoglobin in newborns (up to 225 g/l). Of course, with the growth and development of the child, the situation normalizes on its own, and already at the age of two years, the protein concentration is usually 100-150 g/l.

The reasons for increased hemoglobin in adolescents 13-18 years old are the same as in adults. But there is one factor that few people pay attention to: at this age, young athletes, especially boys, sometimes use anabolic steroids, which increase the level of transport protein in the blood.

Such a violation is usually revealed by examination during a medical examination. In this case, there is no need to panic, but it is better to clearly explain to the young man about the dangers of these drugs.

Treatment

A small increase in hemoglobin levels usually does not require any intervention. Many people do not even notice a change in their condition. However, when the protein concentration reaches 180-190 g/l, problems may begin in an adult. For example, too thick blood slows down its flow, resulting in possible blockage of blood vessels, and this, in turn, is fraught with stroke and heart attack.

You already know why high hemoglobin is dangerous. If such a violation is detected, action must be taken. Although doctors give specific recommendations for reducing hemoglobin, it is very dangerous to prescribe treatment on your own. After all, the patient, in fact, does not know for sure the cause of the pathology?

So, with high hemoglobin, do the following:

1. Limit food.
2. They are taking antiplatelet drugs.
3. They use leeches.
4. Use infusions of medicinal herbs.
5. Erythrocytopheresis is used.

Diet

First of all, a patient suffering from high hemoglobin levels is prescribed a special diet. Its goal is to reduce iron reserves in the body. After all, this particular metal is a key component of the protein that transports gases.

And until the situation normalizes or the main cause of the pathology is found, the patient should observe dietary restrictions:

• foods containing iron are completely excluded (red meat, liver, pomegranates, apples, etc.);
• vitamins B 9 and B 12 are prohibited due to their participation in the formation of red blood cells;
• exclude foods that increase cholesterol (pork, butter);
• the intake of fermented milk products is allowed;
• eat foods that reduce iron absorption (sauerkraut, spinach, etc.).

Antiplatelet agents

There are many different medications to treat high hemoglobin in men and women. Some act immediately after administration, others - after a day. But to use them you need to wait for blood tests so as not to harm the body.

The following means are usually used:

• Heparin;
• Aspirin;
• Ticlopidine;
• Trental;
• Clopidogrel et al.

Aspirin is often used to quickly thin the blood. Many people know it as an antipyretic drug, but even half a tablet will give the desired result with elevated hemoglobin. Perhaps this is the most harmless remedy in the treatment of such a pathology, but before using other medications you should definitely consult a doctor.

Erythrocytopheresis

If nothing helps improve a person’s condition, then erythrocytopheresis is used. The essence of the technique is a blood transfusion, in which red blood cells, the carriers of hemoglobin, are removed from it. After treatment, plasma with a reduced amount of formed elements is returned to the patient.

And yet, doctors do not consider this procedure as the first method of treating high hemoglobin in women and men, but resort to it only as a last resort.

Education: Donetsk National University, Faculty of Biology, Biophysics.

Petrozavodsk State University Faculty of Medicine

Specialty: general practitioner

Hello dear readers. Low hemoglobin levels are a common phenomenon that everyone has heard about. But what if there is a deviation from the norm in the other direction. Is high hemoglobin in the blood dangerous? , and how to reduce its level to normal? An increase in hemoglobin in the blood can be prevented in most cases. To do this, it is recommended to adhere to a healthy, harmonious diet. Fresh air is also needed to prevent hypoxia, to which the body can react with an excess of red blood cells. Attention to your health, including the eradication of harmful addictions, and regular visits to the doctor, especially in the presence of chronic diseases, will also help avoid such deviations.

Normal hemoglobin - the concept of normal concentration

The normal hemoglobin level is a value that has a fairly wide range. It depends on various factors, including the person's age and gender;

For women this figure is normally 120-140 g per liter of blood;

IN gestation period there is usually a drop in hemoglobin levels due to blood thinning and due to the fetus pulling iron from the mother’s body; at this time this value may drop to 110 g/l;

U men hemoglobin is slightly higher - 130-160 g/l;

As for children's norm , then this indicator constantly changes in the process of growing up. At first it reaches its maximum level (from 145 to 225 g/l), and at the age of several months it becomes the lowest (falls to an average of 100 g/l).

Subsequently, hemoglobin gradually increases, reaching a completely established value by the age of 18 (according to gender).

The concept of glycohemoglobin and its norm

Red blood cells are red colored blood cells. This color is given to them by hemoglobin, a protein structure containing iron.

Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body. This happens due to hemoglobin. It is because of the presence of iron that they can attach oxygen and then detach it, delivering it to its destination. That is, these hemoglobin-oxygen structures (oxyhemoglobin) are reversible.

But hemoglobin can attach not only oxygen. It also interacts with carbon dioxide, delivering it from the organs to the lungs. This produces carbohemoglobin, which is also a reversible compound.

But hemoglobin can also bind to glucose, which is in the blood. This process is irreversible. As a result, a stable compound is formed - glycohemoglobin. Being in a bound state, such hemoglobin cannot perform its usual functions.

The amount of hemoglobin bound by glucose in a healthy body is not spontaneous, but rather strictly limited.

Glycohemoglobin level is a value indicating the percentage concentration of sugar in the blood for a certain period (up to three months). Therefore, this indicator should not be confused with the definition of “blood sugar level,” the number of which indicates the concentration of glucose at the moment.

Normally, glycated hemoglobin accounts for 4 to 6% of the total hemoglobin in the blood. This indicator does not depend on the patient’s gender or age. When this value reaches the upper threshold, we are talking about a prediabetic state, and a further increase indicates the presence of diabetes.

But an increase in the concentration of glycohemoglobin in the blood can be observed not only in diabetics. This occurs when metabolic processes are disrupted for various reasons:

- renal failure;

- damage to the spleen;

- consumption of alcoholic beverages;

- anemia, including hemolytic;

- high blood viscosity;

- ineffective fight against hyperglycemia;

- blood infusion or significant blood loss.

When glycohemoglobin is higher than normal, the patient experiences weakness, he begins to quickly get tired, which causes a decrease in performance.

The person is thirsty, has weakened vision and noticeable loss of body weight. Also in this state there is a slowdown in regeneration processes.

Reasons for increased hemoglobin in the blood in men and women

The amount of hemoglobin in the blood can be influenced by all sorts of factors, both external and internal.

1. Environmental conditions. At low oxygen concentrations, which is typical for high mountain areas, the body switches to an enhanced operating mode. This leads to an increase in hemoglobin levels.
2. Features of the profession. This factor is related to the previous one and is typical for pilots, flight attendants, installers, rock climbers, rescuers, etc. Also, a high level of hemoglobin is observed in professional athletes involved, for example, in wrestling, weightlifting, skiing, running and its variations.
3. Excess carbon dioxide. It can be associated both with the characteristics of the work (workers in “harmful” industries, miners, etc.) and with living in places with high air pollution (industrial zones).
4. Taking anabolic drugs. Anabolic steroids (including steroids) not only allow you to quickly produce muscle tissue and give the body a beautiful contour, but also cause a deterioration in overall health due to a sharp increase in the concentration of red blood cells and a jump in the hemoglobin level.

In addition to external reasons, internal factors can also lead to an increase in hemoglobin in adults, as well as in adolescent children:

- diabetes;

- heredity;

- cardiac, pulmonary or renal failure;

- problems with the gallbladder;

- bone marrow hyperactivity;

- cancerous tumors;

- poisoning;

- dehydration due to various reasons, including illness, drinking disorders, physical labor in high temperatures;

— pregnancy (albeit in rare cases, the body can react to this condition anyway);

- hypervitaminization of the body (vit. B), excess iron, use of certain drugs.

In addition to those listed, there are also probabilistic factors. They can cause an increase in blood viscosity, and, consequently, an increase in hemoglobin levels in the blood, with some probability.

For example, overwork, exposure to stress, and nicotine addiction can lead to both a sharp increase in this indicator and a decrease in it.

Infants may experience an increase in blood viscosity due to oxygen starvation during fetal development. This occurs as a result of dysfunction of the placenta.

As a rule, this indicator gradually returns to normal with proper care. But there are cases when a completely healthy baby shows signs of increased hemoglobin due to the parents’ misconception about the conditions that are comfortable for the child.

Excessive wrapping, warming, maintaining a high temperature in the children's room, and lack of ventilation lead to an overestimation of this parameter in the baby.

High hemoglobin - main symptoms

An increase in hemoglobin (hyperhemoglobinemia) can be detected using a blood test. But changes in blood viscosity also have external manifestations:

- general weakness and apathy, rapid fatigue;

- decreased attention, weakened memory;

— sleep disturbance, emotional swings;

- aching joints, muscle pain and headaches;

- loss of appetite (partial or complete);

- paleness of the fingertips;

- urination problems (increases frequency or becomes rare);

- yellow tint of the skin, itching; pigmentation of the palms and axillary area;

- yellowing of the palate, tongue, eye whites;

- feeling of thirst and dry mucous membranes;

- deterioration in vision clarity;

— change in pressure;

- Women may experience prolonged menstruation with severe pain.

As you can see, such symptoms can easily be confused with a number of other diseases. So, based on symptoms alone, it is extremely difficult to identify an excess of hemoglobin in the blood.

In most cases, the increase in hemoglobin is secondary. The primary condition here will be some kind of disease.

Consequences of increased blood viscosity

Increasing hemoglobin levels and increasing blood viscosity are interrelated concepts.

Moreover, either the concentration of protein bodies jumped, which means the blood became thicker, or the lack of fluid led to an increase in the thickness of the blood, which caused an increase in the degree of its saturation with hemoglobin structures.

These phenomena have a number of negative consequences for the body.

1. Due to the high saturation of the blood with protein bodies, the likelihood of them sticking together increases. This is precisely the mechanism of thrombus formation.
2. Thick blood moves more slowly through the vessels, which leads to the deposition of cholesterol and other “garbage” on the walls of the blood vessels. This leads to the formation of plaques and blockage of blood vessels.
3. Blood that is too viscous requires a lot of effort to pump it. As a result, the load on the heart and the circulatory structures themselves increases sharply.
4. Due to the low speed of blood movement, nutrition and gas exchange throughout the body deteriorate, and self-purification processes slow down. Poor blood circulation in the brain is fraught with mental disorders and many other complications.
5. With long-term high levels of hemoglobin in children, developmental and growth disorders are observed.

Thus, increased hemoglobin in the blood of women and men can lead to congestion, heart attack, heart attacks, ischemia, and thrombosis.

These are serious disorders that are much easier to prevent than to try to cure. In addition, there is a considerable probability of death. It is enough for one large blood clot to simply break off and completely block the blood flow.

Ways to reduce elevated hemoglobin in the blood - treatment

It should be clearly understood that the problem of increased hemoglobin is really serious. Therefore, there is no place for self-diagnosis or self-medication here. All techniques, including the proposed diet, must be discussed with a specialist.

But there is no need to panic either. Especially if the indicator is insignificantly overestimated and there is a high probability that this is a temporary phenomenon.

In this case, no special actions, much less treatment, are needed. Everything will return to normal on its own. The main thing is to determine which factor caused the unwanted jump in order to remove it or at least minimize its influence.

You should also avoid eating foods containing iron and vit. AT 9.

Taking iron-containing and complex vitamin preparations should be discontinued. But the doctor also makes similar conclusions. Perhaps taking vitamin supplements and folic acid will help solve the problem and normalize the condition.

Also, an increase in hemoglobin can be caused by some other medications.

Hemoglobin can increase:

— hormonal drugs, including contraceptives;

- sedatives;

- medications that constrict blood vessels and normalize blood pressure.

You should inform your doctor about taking these medications. They may need to be abandoned or replaced with other drugs that are more appropriate in the circumstances.

Drug treatment

You should know that there are no drugs that specifically target hemoglobin. The action of the drugs is aimed at thinning the blood and normalizing its clotting.

Commonly used:

Trental - thins the blood and reduces aggregation phenomena.

Aspirin – half a tablet a day is enough, contraindicated for gastrointestinal problems.

Cardiomagnyl - a drug based on aspirin, the composition also includes magnesium hydroxide, which eliminates the negative effect of the acidic component of the drug on the stomach.

Chime – reduces thrombus formation, contraindicated in renal and heart failure and heart attack.

Warfarin – reduces coagulability, is prescribed in parallel with aspirin, has many contraindications.

These pharmacological agents are prescribed only by a doctor. Occasionally, a special procedure may be prescribed - erythrocytapheresis.

It allows you to filter out excess hemoglobin structures. A course of 3-5 procedures is prescribed, one per week.

In cases where the increase in hemoglobin indicator has jumped due to the presence or exacerbation of a disease, then all efforts should be focused on curing it.

If this root cause is not eliminated, then all actions to reduce hemoglobin may be ineffective. These matters are also within the “jurisdiction” of the doctor. Only he is responsible for prescribing and discontinuing medications, as well as monitoring the patient’s condition.

All changes in health, especially negative ones, and side effects from prescribed medications should be reported to your doctor.

Without this, it is impossible to correctly adjust the treatment regimen and obtain quick results.

Treatment with diet

A special dietary menu will help avoid further increases in hemoglobin levels. As already noted, foods high in iron and vitamin content should be excluded from the daily diet. B9 (folic acid).

The menu should not contain products such as:

- meat, eggs, liver, sausages;

- radishes, beets, berries and fruits colored red and yellow-orange (especially pomegranates, cranberries and apples);

- milk and milk products with high fat content;

— sweets, baked goods and sweet drinks, alcoholic products, beer, including non-alcoholic beer, cocoa products;

- buckwheat and oatmeal porridge;

- mushrooms, especially dried ones;

You should also be wary of products that contain food additives. It would be advisable to refrain from fried foods.

But what can you eat then?

Allowed dishes based on:

- lean fish and seafood (shrimp, mussels, squid);

- chicken breast;

— vegetables and fruits (green color) and juices;

— fermented milk products (cheese, kefir, sour cream), as well as cottage cheese;

- legumes;

- sauerkraut;

- greenery.

It would be a good idea to switch to a vegetarian diet during treatment.

ethnoscience

Some folk remedies can be quite effective in dealing with the problem that has arisen.

1. Hirudotherapy is the use of medicinal leeches. This method will ensure the drainage of excess blood, which will help reduce blood viscosity and the concentration of hemoglobin proteins. Carrying out the procedure requires the experienced hand of a specialist.
2. Hijama is a method of bloodletting to get rid of “bad” blood or, as in this case, its excess. You should only seek help from specialized institutions where competent professionals work.
3. Donation is another proven way to get rid of an excess of red blood cells, although it is not entirely “folk”. But this option is not suitable if you have certain diseases. People are not allowed to donate even if they are completely cured of some ailments. Moreover, the fact of their transfer does not have a statute of limitations.
4. Mumiyo (mountain balsam) is a unique remedy that has a wide range of effects. It is recommended to use the tableted substance in a ten-day course of one tablet (0.2 g) per day. After a short break (several days), the treatment is repeated.

During treatment, regardless of whether a traditional or alternative approach is used, you should completely stop smoking and also not take alcoholic beverages or sedatives.

You also need to drink as much liquid as possible per day (about three liters per day), focusing on clean water.

Depending on whether women have low or high hemoglobin, we can guess where the disease is hidden in the body.

Every woman should know why hemoglobin can increase and be able to recognize the symptoms of this phenomenon in herself.

Hemoglobin (Hb) is an iron-containing protein locked in red blood cells. The function of hemoglobin is to transport oxygen and carbon dioxide between the lungs and the rest of the body's cells.

Elevated Hb indicates an excess of red blood cells in the blood. In medicine, this condition is called erythrocytosis.

To determine your Hb level, you need to take a blood prick for a general analysis. A referral for this test is issued by any doctor: therapist, gynecologist, endocrinologist, etc.

Blood protein levels in women can vary depending on age and chronic diseases. In addition, hereditary factors influence the number of red blood cells in the blood.

Table 1. Normal hemoglobin levels in women

What to do if the amount of iron-containing protein differs from the above standards? An increase to 10 g/l is not considered an anomaly.

A slight deviation from normal values ​​is explained by individual characteristics and is not dangerous to health.

Sometimes slightly increased hemoglobin just indicates the body’s good adaptability to extreme conditions.

So, for example, if a pregnant woman’s blood test before giving birth shows not 110, but 120 or even 130 g/l, this means that the body is preparing for childbirth.

Exceeding the average in this case will benefit the expectant mother. The more red blood cells a woman has in her blood, the thicker, more viscous and less prone her blood is to bleeding. This means that childbirth will take place without excessive blood loss.

We can talk about an increase in hemoglobin that is dangerous to health when the numbers rise 30 - 40 g/l above normal. The most dangerous concentration is 180 and above.

The number 180 indicates a very high percentage of iron-containing protein. This condition cannot be explained by individual variability.

Among the reasons for such a high level of hemoglobin are life-threatening pathologies of the cardiovascular system and hematopoietic organs.

Fortunately, erythrocytosis in women is quite rare. Much more often women suffer from anemia, that is, from low levels of iron, and therefore hemoglobin, and there are good reasons for this.

Because of monthly bleeding, women of reproductive age require additional (0.5 - 1 mg/day) iron.

The need for iron increases greatly during pregnancy - expectant mothers additionally require 4 - 6 mg/day of iron, which will be used to build hemoglobin in the mother and fetus, plus a certain amount of iron-containing protein to compensate for blood loss during childbirth.

Causes of high hemoglobin levels

The reasons why hemoglobin increases in women can be divided into two groups: general and exclusively “female”.

The first group includes circumstances leading to an increase in Hb, regardless of gender. For example, this could be a long stay at an altitude of over 2 km above sea level.

The higher a person lives, the higher his hemoglobin. In this case, the factor that increases the level of hemoglobin is rarefied air.

For the same reason, hemoglobin is increased in professional divers and divers, in people involved in deep-sea sports, and swimmers. The body compensates for the lack of oxygen by increasing the number of red blood cells.

An increased percentage of iron-containing protein can be observed in people who are seriously involved in strenuous sports that require great endurance.

The muscles of athletes need more oxygen than the muscles of ordinary women, so Hb in athletes is always slightly elevated.

Elevated Hb can be a symptom of diseases:

• diabetes mellitus;
• intestinal infections;
• dysbacteriosis, which interferes with the absorption of vitamin B 12 in the intestines;
• taking diuretics for hypertension and renal pathologies;
• malignant blood diseases.

In addition to general problems, there are specific female reasons for increased hemoglobin associated with the monthly cycle or pregnancy.

During pregnancy, Hb more often decreases than increases. Increased hemoglobin in pregnant women is usually associated with dehydration, caused by toxicosis, accompanied by uncontrollable vomiting.

In addition, the amount of Hb in the blood of a pregnant woman may increase due to the abuse of vitamins for expectant mothers. Most of these drugs contain increased amounts of iron.

A pregnant woman can take no more vitamins than indicated in the instructions, but due to individual enzymatic changes in the body, iron will be absorbed excessively, which will lead to an increase in hemoglobin.

Hemoglobin may increase before menstruation - in this way the body prepares to make up for future losses.

Due to the increase in the number of red blood cells at the end of the cycle, the blood becomes more viscous, which minimizes blood loss.

Consequences of deviations from the norm

Hb deficiency almost never occurs suddenly, so in many patients anemia is asymptomatic in the initial stages. The first signs of the disease are weakness, lethargy, pale mucous membranes and skin, shortness of breath and rapid heartbeat.

Lack of hemoglobin affects tissues - this is the so-called sideropenic syndrome, the consequences of which are:

• changes in the shape of nails, their fragility, delamination;
• painful swallowing;
• taste and olfactory perversions;
• flattened papillae on the tongue;
• the appearance of “jams” in the corners of the mouth.

Sideropenic syndrome is especially pronounced in women with abnormally low Hb levels. In addition, with a lack of hemoglobin, the skin becomes dry, hair and nails become brittle, and teeth are destroyed from caries.

Surprisingly, with an excess of iron-containing protein, the symptoms are almost the same as with its deficiency.

A woman with elevated hemoglobin becomes weaker, has shortness of breath, sleeps a lot and stops coping with current affairs.

Feeling worse, sleep is disturbed, periods become painful and prolonged. The skin in the corners of the lips cracks, the dermis becomes dry, hair and nails become brittle.

Elevated Hb also carries a specific danger - it increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, blockage of the deep veins of the legs and pulmonary vessels.

The blood of a woman with high hemoglobin thickens. This is clearly visible when taking the test - it is difficult for the laboratory assistant to squeeze even one drop out of his finger.

The blood does not spread over the finger and onto the glass slide, but remains in the form of a well-formed drop of dark ruby ​​color.

Thick blood moves through the vessels and capillaries with difficulty. Because of this, the work of the heart becomes difficult and the supply of tissues with oxygen and nutrients is disrupted.

Chronically elevated hemoglobin increases blood pressure and gradually leads to the development of hypertension.

Due to thickened blood, organs and tissues do not receive enough oxygen. Toxins and carbon dioxide are not eliminated quickly enough, so a variety of pathologies can develop in the body, including tumors.

High hemoglobin in women requires mandatory correction. To begin with, you should establish a drinking regime, increase physical activity as much as possible and go on a diet that helps reduce hemoglobin.

Drug treatment

Your doctor may prescribe blood thinners to lower your iron protein levels. Such drugs prevent red blood cells, which “float” in excess in the blood plasma, from sticking to each other and forming blood clots.

A simple and cheap way to protect your blood vessels from blockage is to take Aspirin. Cardiomagnyl, Curantil, Trental and other drugs are used for the same purpose.

It is strictly prohibited to prescribe the drug yourself and select the dosage. It is the responsibility of the doctor to prescribe medications and select the course and daily dose.

In parallel, and sometimes instead of taking medications, you can resort to hirudotherapy - treatment with leeches.

Leeches release saliva into the blood, which contains the enzyme hirudin, which thins the blood. Hirudin slows down blood clotting and prevents the formation of blood clots.

Important: not all leeches are suitable for treatment, but only medical ones, which can be purchased at a pharmacy.

Medical leeches (there are three subspecies) are not caught in nature, but are bred in laboratories. The worm bites through the skin and sucks out 5–15 ml of blood. For one session, 5 – 7 leeches are enough.

Menu for women with high Hb

Women with high hemoglobin should not abuse red meat and offal. The liver, kidneys, tongue, and brain are excluded from the diet.

Limit the consumption of foods that increase blood viscosity - butter, pork, fish roe, sweet confectionery.

The diet is enriched with white meat and fish. Legumes contain a lot of iron, but it is poorly absorbed, so if you have high hemoglobin, eating peas, beans and lentils is not prohibited.

If a woman has been taking folic acid or mineral complexes with vitamin B12, then these medications should be stopped.

Banned are apple, orange and pomegranate juices, buckwheat in any form, grain and bean sprouts, rosehip decoction, apples, all types of nuts except peanuts, and egg yolks.

No less than an “iron-free” diet, women with high hemoglobin benefit from drinking plenty of fluids. With elevated Hb, drink little and often - this regimen helps thin the blood. Every 30 - 60 minutes you need to drink 0.3 - 0.5 glasses of water at room temperature.

Why doesn't raw or chilled water reduce hemoglobin levels? Cold liquid is quickly eliminated from the body through the intestines, practically without being absorbed into the blood and without diluting it.

At any age, it is useful to do a general blood test at least once a year. If the test reveals an elevated Hb level in a woman, then the search for the cause and treatment of this condition should be left to the discretion of the doctor.

Increased hemoglobin, like any problems with the cardiovascular system, is not a case when you can self-medicate.

The amount of iron-containing protein in the blood is the most important biochemical indicator, on the basis of which a diagnosis cannot be made immediately, but it can be used to understand whether pathological changes are occurring in a woman’s body or whether she is healthy.

To prevent health, doctors recommend taking a blood test once a year and, based on its results, paying attention to deviations from the norm in hemoglobin. Everyone knows about the dangers of a low level, but few know the dangers of high hemoglobin and an increased content of red blood cells, and these can be signs of a serious disease. If there is an excess of a component in the circulatory system, this causes disruption of blood circulation throughout the body, its coagulability increases, it becomes thicker, which causes the formation of blood clots.

Normal hemoglobin level in blood

Hemoglobin is a complex protein that is a component of red blood cells, also called red blood cells. It includes an iron-containing part, thanks to which it can attach oxygen molecules in the capillaries and transport this vital gas to all organs. To determine the degree of saturation of erythrocytes with this protein and identify pathological conditions of the body, an analysis is made of the average hemoglobin content in the erythrocyte.

Hemoglobin standards are measured in grams per liter (g/l), determined depending on gender and differ in adults and children:

• the normal level of iron-containing protein in women is 120-160 g/l;
• the hemoglobin norm during pregnancy is 110-150 g/l (it decreases, because iron is consumed by the woman and child);
• the norm of hemoglobin in men is 130-170 g/l;
• The hemoglobin norm in children and adolescents is very different. In a newborn child, the level is maximum - 145-225 g/l, then over the first six months of life it gradually decreases to 95-135 g/l, and from 1 year to 18 years it gradually increases.

Causes of high hemoglobin levels

If red blood cells are elevated, this also means a high concentration of iron-containing protein. Deviation from the norm of these indicators occurs when the body does not have enough fluid in hot weather or during intense physical activity. An increased risk of blood clots, strokes, and heart attacks due to higher blood viscosity - this is what is dangerous about a high level of hemoglobin caused by external factors. Increased water consumption will restore normal functioning of the body in a few days.

A higher than normal level of red blood cells may indicate a lack of oxygen in the body as a result of being at altitude or smoking. But often such a high indicator is a symptom of dangerous diseases in the body:

• increased production of red blood cells by the bone marrow as a result of pathologies;
• impaired renal function with the release of the hormone erythropoietin;
• heart and lung diseases;
• oncology.

In men

An increase in red blood cells in men is observed not only as a symptom of the disease. Such a malfunction in the body occurs due to hard physical work, grueling training without proper drinking regimen, frequent stay at altitude (pilots, climbers) or smoking. What is the danger of high hemoglobin? In the future, an indicator above the norm, caused by lifestyle, threatens to disrupt normal blood circulation and becomes the main cause of serious life-threatening diseases - vein thrombosis, strokes, and heart attacks.

Among women

High levels of iron-containing protein are not typical for women, but are often found in those living in mountainous areas, with regular intense physical activity or with pathologies of the heart and lungs. During pregnancy, the female body is purposefully saturated with iron to a greater extent for the normal development of the fetus through a special diet and taking polyvitamin complexes, which explains high hemoglobin during pregnancy. But over the course of this period, the indicator decreases, the body redistributes the required level to the child.

In children and adolescents

If living in a mountainous area and intense physical activity are excluded as possible factors for an increase in iron-containing protein in a child, an examination should be carried out to identify the disease. The main reasons for elevated levels of this protein in children are blood diseases, congenital pathologies of the lungs and heart, intestinal obstruction, and severe dehydration. The level of red cells rises sharply temporarily if the child has received a severe burn; this is necessary to saturate damaged tissues with oxygen and speed up their regeneration.

Symptoms of elevated hemoglobin

The most dangerous thing in cases where hemoglobin is higher than normal occurs inside the vessels: the blood circulates poorly because it becomes thick. If you do not react in time and do not normalize the viscosity of this biological fluid, irreversible consequences will occur. The formation of blood clots and blockage of blood vessels is what increased hemoglobin in the blood means.

The level of iron-containing protein does not rise suddenly, it happens over some time. During this period, the following external symptoms may be observed:

• fatigue, drowsiness;
• loss of appetite, sudden weight loss for no reason;
• increased body temperature;
• red itchy spots on the skin;
• increased blood pressure.

Consequences of high hemoglobin

Why is a high hemoglobin level dangerous? As a result of oversaturation with red blood cells, the functioning of almost the entire body is disrupted. Thicker blood impairs the functioning of the brain and the process of blood supply to tissues. The sizes of internal organs - spleen, liver, kidneys - increase. With such complications, the body does not have time to cope with the negative consequences of saturation with red blood cells. Over time, these symptoms can be fatal, which is why high hemoglobin is life-threatening.

How to reduce hemoglobin levels to normal

(from the internet)

An increase in hemoglobin in men is quite common. Most often it is discovered accidentally during a clinical blood test. If the hemoglobin level exceeds 180 g/l, then you need to think about the reason that caused this rise. However, is any deviation from normal limits towards an increase in hemoglobin a disease or not? Let's try to figure this issue out.

Reasons for increased hemoglobin in men

Functional and pathological factors can influence hemoglobin levels. Normal physiological, adaptive and compensatory mechanisms operate under certain conditions of climate, altitude, latitude, etc.

These include:

note: the longer a person works and lives in such conditions, the more hyperhemoglobinemia develops and the risk of complications increases.

An increase in hemoglobin in men can develop as a result of diseases:

• occurring with debilitating and prolonged diarrhea, especially accompanied by concomitant vomiting (infectious diseases);
• with excessive urination due to chronic kidney diseases;
• chronic heart failure, causing swelling of the body and a compensatory increase in fluid secretion by the kidneys;
• malignant polycythemia vera (Vaquez disease).

Long-term use of diuretics and a number of other drugs, and deficiency of cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12) can lead to dehydration and thickening of the blood.

How does increased hemoglobin manifest in men?

High hemoglobin can cause a number of nonspecific symptoms (also found in other diseases).

They appear:

• the appearance of reddened areas of the skin, alternating with pale areas, peeling;
• severe weakness and fatigue, decreased appetite;
• decreased hearing and vision;
• alternating constipation and diarrhea;
• shallow sleep, insomnia;
• pain in joints, muscles, bones;
• dizziness, diffuse;
• tendency to form blood clots;
• and a feeling of fullness.

Diagnosis of elevated hemoglobin

Detection of an increased number of red blood cells and hemoglobin is determined during a routine clinical blood test. If the doctor suspects the cause of this process, he may order additional tests. After establishing a diagnosis or functional state, a plan of treatment measures, drug therapy is drawn up, and a diet is prescribed.

note: before you start sounding the alarm, Compare the test results with reference values ​​- they are different for men and women!

Treatment methods aimed at reducing hemoglobin in men

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Hemoglobin level is one of the most important indicators of a general blood test, which can be determined from both capillary and venous blood.

An increased hemoglobin level in the blood cannot be considered as a separate disease or disorder. This is only an analysis indicating that a disease is developing that causes such a deviation from the norm.

Therefore, in case of elevated hemoglobin, it is very important to conduct a thorough medical examination and treat not high hemoglobin in a woman or man, but the reason that caused its increase.

What does high hemoglobin mean and what is considered normal?

The level of hemoglobin depends on both a person’s age and gender; this blood indicator is measured either in grams per deciliter of blood g/dl or most often in g/l. Hemoglobin should be considered elevated if it is 20 or more units above normal. Average hemoglobin levels are presented in the table:

In what cases is an elevated hemoglobin level not associated with any disease?

Of course, some diseases of internal organs and blood, which we will discuss below, lead to high hemoglobin levels in women and men, and in children, but the causes of increased hemoglobin can also be external factors or a person’s lifestyle.

Residents of mountainous areas, or even those living on the plains, but high above sea level, may have an increased blood count. When a person is in high altitude areas, low oxygen levels cause the body to produce more hemoglobin to compensate for the lack of it by maximizing the binding of hemoglobin to oxygen. However, for Russians this factor is not significant.

Also, a high level of hemoglobin in men can be if the profession involves frequent flights on airplanes, for example, among pilots or climbers, or among female flight attendants. A separate category of men and women with high hemoglobin levels are athletes, and those engaged in active, even strenuous sports - these are skiers, skaters, runners, marathon runners, triathletes, and again climbers.

One of the factors causing an increase in hemoglobin in men, as well as women today, can be very active smoking. Numerous studies conducted by specialists still cannot explain the fact that smokers often have elevated hemoglobin levels. One theory is that the low content of pure oxygen in a smoker's lungs may provide the same protective mechanism to the body as when there is a lack of oxygen in the atmosphere, such as mountaineers or high-altitude dwellers.

Diseases, one of the signs of which may be high hemoglobin in the blood

Why is hemoglobin high in a child, a man, a woman? Today, the catastrophic environmental situation on the planet leads to the emergence of various diseases that our ancestors did not suffer from. If there were cases of such diseases, then this was a rare exception, in particular, this applies to:

• Oncological diseases
• Various types of allergic reactions
• Bronchial asthma, in general, a century ago was a rare disease, and today a huge number of people suffer from it, the worst thing is that among them are children who, from an early age, are forced to take steroid hormonal drugs, the use of which, even in aerosols, can increase hemoglobin in both the child and and in an adult.

High hemoglobin in newborns is often manifested by blood transfusion or transfer of maternal blood from the placenta, especially often observed in recent decades - lack of oxygen to the fetus due to placental insufficiency is also the cause of high hemoglobin in a child or newborn.

In adults, the most obvious reason for high hemoglobin is These are diseases of the heart and lungs. Therefore, diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumonia, bronchial asthma, chronic pulmonary emphysema and other diseases of the respiratory system can cause increased hemoglobin in the blood.

As for cardiac pathologies, it can also be heart failure, heart defects, congenital disorders of the functioning or structure of the heart, acquired heart diseases. This is explained by the fact that when there is insufficient oxygen supply to organs and tissues (due to problems with the heart or lungs), the body increases the production of red blood cells. Also, high hemoglobin in the blood can be observed in the following conditions and diseases:

• Bone marrow dysfunction
• - when the condition is restored, hemoglobin also normalizes
• Kidney, liver, intestinal cancer, adrenal adenoma, uterine cancer
• Taking medications such as steroid hormones, diuretics (diuretics), erythropoietin injections (to improve the performance of athletes)
• Burns
• Diabetes
• Severe stress
• Intestinal obstruction
• Chronic hypoxia, long-term very active smoking
• Genetic predisposition, family history
• Long-term exposure to carbon monoxide - residents of megacities, maintenance personnel of garages, parking lots, residents of polluted cities with developed industry, work in mines.

Signs and symptoms of increased hemoglobin in the blood

With high hemoglobin, a person may not experience any symptoms, but with a long-term and significant change in this indicator with a complex of concomitant diseases, the patient may have various vague symptoms that are general in nature and do not indicate a specific disease:

• Increased fatigue, lethargy,
• Poor appetite
• Drowsiness or, conversely, problems falling asleep
• Blood pressure increases
• Rapid bruising and easy bleeding
• Headache,
• , especially after a shower, bath
• Pain in joints, bones - in ribs, hips
• Blood clots or blood clots that form easily can cause stroke, pulmonary embolism, or heart attacks
• Stomach ache.

Why is high hemoglobin dangerous?

People with primary polycythemia (increased hemoglobin and red blood cells) should be aware of possible serious complications that arise due to the formation of blood clots - gastrointestinal bleeding, pulmonary thromboembolism, strokes, heart attacks, deep vein thrombosis of the legs. These conditions require immediate medical attention.

With secondary polycythemia, against the background of existing chronic diseases of the heart and lungs, the risk of developing such complications also exists, but to a lesser extent, and the condition must first be monitored together with the treating pulmonologist or cardiologist.

Hemoglobin found in red blood cells is a complex protein containing iron. Its main purpose is to transport oxygen and carbon dioxide into organ cells. High hemoglobin levels cause blood to thicken. As a result, blood clots appear that clog the vessels. This increases the risk of heart attack or stroke. This is why it is so important to know how to deal with high hemoglobin in order to avoid unwanted consequences.

Factors that increase hemoglobin

The normal hemoglobin level is:

• For women 120-140 g/l. In some cases, a level of up to 160 g/l is considered normal. An increase in these numbers is considered high hemoglobin.
• For men 135-160 g/l (sometimes up to 180 g/l). A value of 170 and above is considered pathological.

External reasons

Increased hemoglobin is a signal of dysfunction of organs or systems in the body. But this also happens under the influence of special living conditions. For example, in high altitude areas, oxygen transport requires an increased amount of hemoglobin, which is considered normal.

Regular physical activity and systematic exposure to fresh air also increases hemoglobin. This is typical for athletes, especially speed skaters, skiers, and runners.

Women during pregnancy may experience a specific reaction to pregnancy in the form of an increase in hemoglobin.

In men, this condition can be caused by:

• Features of the profession. For example, pilots sometimes experience a lack of oxygen. The body responds to this by increasing hemoglobin.
• Smoking (women also smoke, but much less).
• The use of anabolic steroids in bodybuilding.

Internal factors

The underlying reasons for the increase in protein content may be as follows:

1. Excess glucose in diabetes mellitus.
2. Increased volume of red blood cells in the blood serum (erythrocytosis). It occurs as a reaction of the body to a lack of oxygen due to heart or kidney disease. An increase in red blood cell levels is sometimes seen with dehydration, burns, stress, and Gaisbeck syndrome (high blood pressure).
3. An increase in hemoglobin in the blood plasma (hemoglobinemia or hemolytic anemia). This condition may be hereditary or acquired. In the latter case, it is associated with cholelithiasis or other internal diseases.
4. Pernicious anemia is a decrease in the level of red blood cells with an increase in hemoglobin. Often accompanies gastrointestinal problems, for example, thinning of the gastric mucosa or poor intestinal permeability.
5. Congenital heart diseases.
6. Oncological diseases (as a result of increased cell division).
7. Pulmonary failure.
8. High content of vitamins B9, B12.

Clinical picture of increased hemoglobin

The consequences of high and low hemoglobin manifest themselves in a similar way:

• dysfunction in the genitourinary system,
• deteriorating vision,
• pale skin color,
• loss of appetite
• fatigue,
• constant drowsiness.

Common signs of an increase in this protein are disorders of certain mental functions caused by peripheral cyanosis and impaired cerebral circulation.

These symptoms manifest themselves on the external level. But the most dangerous processes occur inside the body. There is a thickening of the blood medium, an increase in its viscosity and a decrease in the rate of circulation in the body. Because of this, internal organs do not receive nutrition. The most serious consequence is the formation of blood clots and plaques, causing heart attacks and strokes.

What means reduce hemoglobin

The first thing you should do in conditions of increased hemoglobin is to reconsider your daily diet. It is necessary to exclude foods with a high iron content from the diet:

• meat (red),
• meat by-products (mainly liver),
• cereals,
• red berries (including black currants), fruits, vegetables,
• butter,
• fat milk,
• smoked meats,
• - sweets.

Products required for daily consumption:

• marine (mussels, shrimp, squid, etc.),
• chicken meat,
• cottage cheese,
• fermented milk,
• raw vegetables,
• legumes,
• salads.

In addition to your diet, it’s a good idea to drink a glass of fresh carrot-beet juice every day.

Healthy Habits

It is very important to adhere to the principles of a healthy lifestyle. The main ones are giving up alcohol and smoking. It is effective to do fasting days twice a week.

Active motor exercises and hardening lead to good results. Physical activity, walking and swimming restore the functioning of the bone marrow, which is responsible for the production of hemoglobin.

Traditional methods

To reduce hemoglobin, using mumiyo is effective. It dissolves in water, exhibiting numerous beneficial qualities, including normalizing the amount of hemoglobin. Mumiyo should be taken one tablet at night. The course is ten days. Then a break - a week. Then the course is repeated. It is better not to combine alcohol, as well as sedatives and sleeping pills with mumiyo.

Hirudotherapy gives good results. By applying leeches, you can regulate the hemoglobin content for the next six months.

An unusual way to combat high hemoglobin is to donate blood. The body will have an incentive to produce young blood, and hemoglobin will decrease.

• whine,
• fireweed,
• woodlice.

Folk remedies are effective in lowering hemoglobin if the cause does not lie in problems with internal organs or autoimmune diseases. Medications help in these conditions.

Medical therapy

Medicines are prescribed only by a therapist after examinations and taking into account blood counts. If hemoglobin is increased due to diseases affecting the composition of the blood, then these pathologies are the first to be treated.

Traditional medications that thin the blood and reduce hemoglobin are:

• Trental,
• Cardiomagnyl,
• Aspirin,
• Chimes.

They normalize blood clotting. While taking medications, medical supervision is required to determine the optimal dose and duration of treatment.

If you have high hemoglobin, you should not take multivitamin and mineral complexes with vitamins B, C, iron, copper, and folic acid.

Sometimes hemoglobin is reduced using electrophoresis. This procedure removes excess red blood cells from the general bloodstream. As a result, hemoglobin levels decrease. But this procedure is prescribed in rare cases when it is impossible to use other methods of therapy.

An elevated hemoglobin level detected through blood tests should be immediately reduced. Otherwise, a high content of this protein can negatively affect human health.