Low hemoglobin (anemia). Low hemoglobin (anemia) Hemoglobin 85 in women causes and consequences

Anemia is a condition in which the content of functionally complete red cells (erythrocytes) is reduced in the blood. Quantitatively, it is expressed by the degree of decrease in the concentration of hemoglobin - the iron-containing pigment of erythrocytes, which gives the blood a red color.

In order to understand the reasons for the decrease in hemoglobin in the blood, you need to know the mechanism of its formation in the body. Hemoglobin is a complex iron-protein compound found in red blood cells (Erythrocytes).

The main function of hemoglobin is to participate in the transfer of oxygen molecules to the organs and tissues of the body, by constantly capturing oxygen in the lungs and giving it back to all the structures in need for further redox reactions and obtaining energy for the life of the body.

For the formation of hemoglobin, the following conditions are required:

1. Sufficient iron content in the food consumed.
2. Normal absorption of iron in the stomach and small intestine.
3. The presence of animal protein in food.
4. Of particular importance is the content of vitamin B12 and folic acid, which are also absorbed in the upper gastrointestinal tract and are of direct importance for the formation of erythrocytes in the human bone marrow. With a decrease in the number of erythrocytes, the amount of hemoglobin per liter of blood decreases accordingly.
5. Absence of pathology in the hematopoietic system. (hereditary and acquired blood diseases.

The norm of hemoglobin in the blood

Normal values ​​of the amount of hemoglobin in the blood are:

For men, 130-160 grams per liter of blood.
For women 120-147 g / l.
For pregnant women, the lower limit of the norm is 110g / l.

Diagnostics

6. A decrease in hemoglobin can also occur with prolonged infectious diseases (gastroenterocolitis in folk speech called dysentery and salmonellosis, chronic hepatitis C and B, long-term pneumonia, tuberculosis, pyelonephritis, etc.). The reason is also the early destruction of red blood cells and the increased need of the body for iron to restore homeostasis.

9. Malignant neoplasms, especially of the gastrointestinal tract, with them, a decrease in hemoglobin occurs due to impaired absorption of iron, as well as due to latent blood loss. For all other localizations of the tumor, the decrease in hemoglobin occurs to a lesser extent, apparently due to changes in metabolic processes in the body that occur during these diseases. But this is considered a very important sign that requires attention, especially in men who have had high hemoglobin numbers throughout their lives and suddenly there was a decrease even within the normal range.

It should be borne in mind that the first four groups of diseases are the cause of low hemoglobin in more than 90% of cases.

Treatment and prevention of iron deficiency anemia with a lack of hemoglobin.

Therapeutic tactics for iron deficiency anemia should be aimed not only at normalizing hematological parameters (hemoglobin, erythrocytes, color index), but also restoring the concentration of iron in the blood serum, adequate reserves in the depot organs (primarily the spleen and liver, as well as muscle tissue) ...

Treatment, if possible, should begin with measures to eliminate the cause of its development, primarily micro and macrobleeding (Removal of uterine fibroids, excision of hemorrhoids, hormonal correction of dysfunctional uterine bleeding, treatment of gastroduodenal ulcers, gastroduodenitis, enteritis, etc.).

The main pathogenetic method of treating iron deficiency anemia (decreased hemoglobin) is the appointment of iron preparations, and the latter are taken orally, preferably before parenteral administration (administration of drugs intramuscularly and intravenously). It is advisable to inject iron preparations in a hospital setting, since there is a large percentage of allergic reactions to iron preparations.

The dose of iron preparations should be sufficient to obtain a therapeutic effect, but not excessive, not causing the phenomenon of intolerance.

Typically, this dose ranges from 100 to 300 mg of elemental iron per day. If well tolerated, it should be used at the maximum dose until the level of hemoglobin and erythrocytes is restored. When the normal hemoglobin levels are reached, the treatment does not stop, but usually continues for 2-3 months, under the control of the indicators of the amount of iron in erythrocytes and in the blood serum. So, you need to tune in to long-term treatment, at least 2-6 months. After reaching normal levels of peripheral blood, the drugs are taken in a daily dose that is 2-3 times lower than that with which the normalization of hemoglobin is achieved. The therapy is carried out until the iron stores in the iron depot organs are replenished. This is controlled by such blood parameters as serum iron, the total iron-binding capacity of blood serum. Anti-relapse therapy of chronic anemias is carried out in patients with unresolved etiological factors (heavy and prolonged menstruation and uterine bleeding, blood loss associated with hemorrhoids, bowel diseases). Therapy is carried out with individually selected small doses of iron preparations (30-60 mg of iron per day) in the form of one-month repeated (2-3 times a year) courses, or the appointment of such iron therapy for 7-10 days monthly (usually during and after menstruation) , under the control of hemoglobin levels and indicators of iron metabolism.

If low hemoglobin is detected due to insufficient intake of vitamin B12 (megaloblastic anemia), subcutaneous injections of vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) are prescribed. It is administered in a dose of 200-500 mcg once a day for four to six weeks. After the normalization of hematopoiesis and blood composition, which usually occurs after 1.5-2 months, the vitamin is administered once a week for another 2-3 months.

In the course of treatment with iron preparations, one should not expect an increase in the amount of hemoglobin earlier than after a month of treatment. The doctor judges the effectiveness of treatment by the change in the number of reticulocytes (precursors of erythrocytes) in the general blood test. 8-10 days after the start of therapy with vitamin B12 and iron preparations, the number of reticulocytes increases several times, the so-called "reticulocytic crisis" is observed. What speaks about the success of the therapy. Often B12 deficiency anemia is accompanied by a lack of folic acid in the body. In this case, folic acid is added to the treatment, at a dose of 5-15 mg per day, for a course of 20-30 days.

According to the degree of decrease in hemoglobin, iron deficiency anemias are subdivided:

Latent iron deficiency anemia is when the hemoglobin content in erythrocytes is normal, and serum iron is low, but symptoms of low hemoglobin can already be observed. In these cases, the correction of the state is achieved with small doses of iron (30-40 mg per day) for 1-1.5 months according to indications 2-3 times a year. This condition is also typical during pregnancy. An over-the-counter drug in this case, a ferretab composite containing 0.154 g of ferrous fumarate and 0.005 g of folic acid. Depending on the parameters of serum iron and the total iron-binding capacity of blood serum, 1-3 capsules are prescribed per day for at least 4 weeks.

Mild degree (hemoglobin 110-90 g / l).
Average degree (hemoglobin 90-70 g / l).
Severe degree (hemoglobin below 70g / l).

OTC drugs are most commonly used to correct iron deficiency conditions.

Ferretab composite(0.154 g of ferrous fumarate and 0.005 g of folic acid). Additionally, it is desirable to take ascorbic acid in a daily dose of 0.2-0.3 g).

Sorbifer durules(0.32 g of ferrous sulfate and 0.06 g of vitamin C), a daily dosage is produced in pills, depending on the degree of anemia, 2-3 times a day.

Totem- produced in vials of 10 milliliters, the content of elements is the same as in the sorbifer. It is used internally, it can be diluted with water, it is possible to prescribe it for intolerance to tablet forms of iron. The daily dose is 1-2 doses.

Fenuls(0.15g, ferrous sulfate, 0.05g of vitamin C, vitamins B2, B6.0.005g of calcium pantothenate.

Vitamin B12 in ampoules of 1 ml 0.02% and 0.05%.

Folic acid in tablets of 1 mg.

Ampoule iron preparations for intramuscular and intravenous administration are sold only by prescription and require injections only in stationary conditions due to the high frequency of allergic reactions to these drugs.

Taking into account the better absorption, iron preparations are prescribed before meals, if the drug does not contain vitamin C, then additional intake of ascorbic acid in a daily dose of 0.2-0.3 g is required.In some patients, during treatment, signs of iron intolerance are observed, especially with prolonged iron use: loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, intestinal dysfunction in the form of diarrhea or constipation, etc., which disappear after reducing the initial doses of the drug and prescribing it during or after meals. In some cases, for patients with a tendency to intestinal disorders, iron preparations are prescribed together with enzymes (mezim forte, festal, panzinorm). In case of exacerbation during treatment, gastritis, gastric ulcer or duodenal ulcer, anti-reactive drugs (almogel, ranitidine, omez) are simultaneously prescribed.

How to increase hemoglobin with folk remedies

Treatment of iron deficiency anemias should be carried out against a background of a diet rich in iron and animal proteins, the main sources of which are meat and meat products, especially beef. Usually recommended vegetables and fruits are useful mainly as a source of a large amount of vitamins, especially ascorbic acid, which contributes to better absorption of iron. Dishes containing black currants, citrus fruits, kiwi, rose hips, strawberries, etc. will be useful here. In cases of anemia with not eliminated risk factors (hyperpolymenorrhea - profuse menstruation, microhematuria with hemorrhoids, frequent nosebleeds), it is advisable to use the following infusion from a herbal collection containing the leaves of stinging nettle, yarrow herb, wild rose and mountain ash. Apply 1/3 or 1/2 cup 2-3 times a day. Courses of two weeks during heavy periods, also during an exacerbation of diseases accompanied by microbleeding.

Naturally, it is necessary to eliminate the causes of low hemoglobin as soon as possible, by timely treatment of all diseases contributing to its decrease (see the points "causes of hemoglobin loss", "diseases one of the signs of which is low hemoglobin", set out above).

Which doctor should i contact with low hemoglobin.

Doctors may need help:

Gynecologist
- Infectionist
- Nephrologist
- Oncologist
- Gastroenterologist

Therapist Shutov A.I.

Most heard about hemoglobin in childhood. Specialists pay special attention to its content in blood. This is not surprising, since hemoglobin performs an essential mission: it carries oxygen to all tissues and organs of the human body, and from there delivers carbon dioxide to the lungs. Thus, it ensures the vital activity of the organism, guarantees it "breathing".

What is hemoglobin?

Hemoglobin is a complex protein found in erythrocytes (red blood cells). It contains:

  • directly protein;
  • iron compounds.

The atoms of the latter provide the blood with a red color. Thanks to the gland, hemoglobin performs its respiratory function, since it is able to combine oxygen molecules and give it to tissues.

Low hemoglobin: causes

The body loses hemoglobin for many reasons. The most common ones are:

  • Blood loss:
    • obvious - a visible loss of life-giving fluid by the body during lane operations, serious injuries, wounds, hemorrhoids, in women - with heavy periods;
    • hidden - internal bleeding in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
  • Lack of amino acids and vitamins necessary for the synthesis of hemoglobin. The reason for the insufficient amount of vitamin C in the body must be sought in a poor and unbalanced diet. This also explains the deficiency of folic acid.

    But if there is a lack of vitamin B12, then helminthic invasion can be suspected.

  • Digestive system ailments. Diseases such as colitis, gastritis, ulcers interfere with the normal absorption of iron, since they deplete the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract.
  • Severe infectious diseases: tuberculosis, hepatitis. The accompanying pathological processes cause premature and overestimated death of red blood cells. The consequence of this undesirable phenomenon is a decrease in hemoglobin, which, as you know, is found in erythrocytes.
  • Hypothyroidism is a severe syndrome caused by a decrease in thyroid hormone levels. Since they are responsible for regulating the absorption of iron in the intestine, a lack of them automatically lowers the hemoglobin content in the blood.
  • Autoimmune conditions that cause normal tissue to be damaged and destroyed. In this case, the development of autoimmune inflammation occurs. It manifests itself in the progression of rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, glomerulonephritis.
  • Diseases of the blood that are malignant in nature.
  • Neoplasms in the internal organs.
  • Stressful situations. They depress the psyche and introduce a person into a depressed state. Long-term negative emotions can easily disrupt metabolic processes, including negatively affect the level of hemoglobin, lowering it to a critical value.
  • Power supply errors. The harm is manifested not only in the insufficient intake of nutrients and elements into the body. If you abuse strong coffee, tea, chocolate products, cereals, you can also provoke a decrease in hemoglobin. The fact is that these products are capable of inhibiting the absorption of iron.
  • Low level of physical activity. It serves as a catalyst to slow down the intensity of blood flow through the veins, arteries and capillaries. The brain receives signals that the body has enough red blood cells, so there is no need to produce them. Less red blood cells are synthesized - the level of hemoglobin falls.
  • Naturally, a low level of iron-containing protein is considered in donors who donate blood constantly. But the level of hemoglobin quickly normalizes if everything is in order in the body. Otherwise, the medical staff will no longer use the donor's services.

    Symptoms of low hemoglobin

    A decrease in hemoglobin below the norm manifests itself as symptoms:

    • Subjective - they are evidenced by the complaints of patients.
    • Objective and quantifiable.

    Subjective asthenic symptoms are as follows:

    • weakness in the whole body;
    • daytime sleepiness and sleeplessness at night;
    • getting up in the morning is hard (you need to make an effort to get up);
    • increased fatigue;
    • makes a noise in the ears;
    • persistent headaches;
    • frequent dizziness, possible fainting and lightheadedness;
    • the menstrual cycle is disturbed;
    • a noticeable decrease in potency;
    • loss of interest in food, even to the point of disgust for it.

    The presence of such symptoms indicates a lack of oxygen in the tissues and a violation of the pH level in the cells.

    Separately, dystrophic subjective symptoms are distinguished, which act as indirect signs of iron deficiency in the body:

    • Damage to the nail plates: they become thinner, exfoliate, break easily. Stains and fungal diseases may appear.
    • Hair changes: they almost stop growing, but they fall out much more than before. The ends split, and the strands themselves become brittle and faded.
    • Taste and smell are impaired. There is a desire to use inedible substances: chalk, sand, tooth powder, sulfur from matches. You can easily eat raw foods such as minced meat or cereals. The smells of acetone, naphthalene, nail polish do not bring discomfort, they become pleasant.
    • The skin becomes pale and dry.
    • Tingling in the feet.
    • Convulsions in the lower limbs.
    • Slight rise in temperature.

    Such symptoms can also appear with a slight decrease in hemoglobin, if it continues for a long period of time.

    Among the objective symptoms, it should be noted:

    • tachycardia, in which the pulse rate significantly exceeds 90 beats per minute;
    • lowering blood pressure;
    • noises are heard in the heart.

    In the early time stages of a decrease in hemoglobin, a person can only feel weakness, the appearance of which is explained by overwork or vitamin deficiency. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct a blood test at least twice a year in order to stop the painful processes in time.

    What is the danger of low hemoglobin: the consequences

    An insufficient supply of iron in the body leads to anemia. Medical statistics record it in 90% of those patients in whom hemoglobin is low. Iron deficiency anemia affects one third of the world's population, especially women and children.

    Depending on the level of hemoglobin, anemia can manifest itself in several forms:

    • Light - the content of iron-containing protein in the blood is in the range from 90 to 120 g / l.
    • Medium - hemoglobin drops to 60 g / l.
    • Severe - Iron protein levels fall below 60 g / L.

    If we allow a decrease in hemoglobin to 50 g / l, then there is a threat of acidosis - a shift in the body's acid-base balance towards an increase in acidity. This condition is very dangerous, as it leads to depression of the respiratory centers and cardiac activity.

    Long-term presence of hemoglobin below the normal range can cause significant problems in the functioning of the immune system. This means that even a common cold is difficult and there is a high probability of complications. The body loses its ability to defend itself against harmful organisms and microbes, which poses a threat to health and even life.

    Features of low hemoglobin in women and men

    In adult women and men, low hemoglobin manifests itself with similar symptoms. But there are also some specific features.

    Men notice a decrease in potency. And with a decrease in hemoglobin to a certain level, temporary impotence is possible.

    Women almost always have menstrual irregularities. At first, there are delays, interruptions in time. Menstruation may stop completely later on.

    One of the reasons for the decrease in hemoglobin is pseudo blood loss. They are possible in the presence of uterine fibroids or ovarian cysts in the female genital organs. The neoplasms are periodically filled with blood, which is absorbed too slowly. In this case, hemoglobin is not able to perform its functions, since it is converted into another compound.

    Decreased hemoglobin during pregnancy

    For women in an interesting position, low hemoglobin is a frequent occurrence.

    At the same time, a significant deviation from the norm is a serious threat to the health of not only the expectant mother, but also the unborn baby.

    Decreased hemoglobin is dangerous by the appearance of:

    • hypotension of the uterus (a sharp decrease in its tone and ability to contract);
    • hypoxia (lack of oxygen for the fetus);
    • improper location of the placenta;
    • delay or cessation of fetal development.

    A baby can be born with:

    • low body weight;
    • underdevelopment;
    • disorders of the respiratory and nervous systems;
    • atrophy of muscles and individual organs;
    • mental and physical developmental disorders that will manifest themselves in a few months or years.

    Given such threats, pregnant women are obliged to tirelessly monitor their health and visit doctors even with the slightest suspicion of pathology. Even at the planning stage of conception, a woman should take care of her diet in order to prevent the development of anemia.

    Decreased hemoglobin in children

    In babies, low hemoglobin can cause both pathologies and a lack of essential minerals and vitamins in food.

    If the level of iron-containing protein drops to a critical level, donor blood transfusion is indispensable. For crumbs up to a year, this is necessary if hemoglobin approaches 85 g / l. In older children, the boundary value is 70 g / l.

    Very active babies may also have low hemoglobin levels.

    How to bring hemoglobin back to normal by therapeutic methods

    Before trying to treat low hemoglobin, it is necessary to identify the cause of this condition and exclude it.

    Therapeutic measures are aimed not only at normalizing the level of iron-containing protein, the color indicator, but also to restore the concentration of iron in the serum and blood depot - reservoir organs (such as the spleen, liver and skin).

    In the presence of micro and macro bleeding, the following may be shown:

    • removal of hemorrhoids;
    • correction of uterine bleeding;
    • prompt elimination of uterine fibroids;
    • therapy of ulcers, enteritis and other diseases of housing and communal services.

    Pathogenetic methods of treating low hemoglobin involve the appointment of iron preparations, vitamins of group B. They can be taken both orally and in the form of injections. The established dose should provide a therapeutic effect and, at the same time, it cannot be excessive, so as not to cause the phenomenon of intolerance.

    It is advisable to take injections in a hospital setting. This will prevent the consequences of a possible and common allergy to iron supplements.

    In the presence of unresolved etiological factors - such as heavy menstruation, uterine bleeding, hemorrhoids or gastrointestinal ailments - anti-relapse therapy of chronic anemia is carried out. She has an individual character. Small doses of iron preparations are selected. They are taken either several times a year, or monthly over several days. The level of hemoglobin and indicators of iron metabolism are under the control of the doctor during these periods.

    How to increase hemoglobin by adjusting the diet

    In the complex of combating low hemoglobin, nutrition plays an important role. If the wrong diet is the main reason for the lack of iron-containing protein in the body, then this can be easily eliminated in a few weeks.

    When an iron deficiency is detected in the body, then it is necessary to include products containing it in the menu. Their list is not small. The most popular and affordable ones are:

    • liver;
    • red meat;
    • buckwheat;
    • black currant;
    • pomegranates and prunes;
    • peaches, plums and apples;
    • dried apricots and rose hips.

    The menu also needs to be filled with seafood, nuts, potatoes baked with the peel, bran from wheat and oats. Useful the use of brewer's yeast, cocoa, cranberries and raspberries.

    A mix of carrot and beet juice is effective. It needs to be taken half a glass a day. It is important that the freshly squeezed beet juice is allowed to stand for at least an hour before mixing.

    When drawing up the menu, it must be borne in mind that foods containing calcium slow down the absorption of iron. Therefore, they must be consumed separately.

    Folic acid stores can be replenished by including in the diet:

    • cottage cheese and cheese;
    • citrus;
    • melons and watermelons;
    • green onions and peas;
    • kiwi and bananas;
    • turnips;
    • grapes and pomegranates.

    A balanced and reasonable consumption of such products ensures the synthesis of folic acid by the intestinal microflora in sufficient quantities. This means that hemoglobin will return to normal.

    Those who have a decrease in its level should significantly limit the use of coffee and tea. And from alcohol and tobacco smoking must be completely abandoned.

    Low hemoglobin does not allow not only to work normally, but also just to live. Therefore, it is necessary to identify the causes of this painful condition as quickly as possible and, without delay, to begin its therapy.

    In order for the body to produce a sufficient amount of hemoglobin, it is necessary to eat a balanced diet, eat foods containing vitamin B12 and folic acid. An important factor is the normal absorption of iron in the gastrointestinal tract.

    In the hematopoietic system there should be no pathological changes provoking a deviation of hemoglobin from the norm.

Hemoglobin is a complex chemical compound of a protein with an element of iron, which is present in red blood cells. The function of hemoglobin in the human body is one of the most important - it is involved in the delivery of oxygen molecules to all tissues and organs of the body.

Oxygen is an essential element for ensuring the vital activity of a living being; it takes part in the receipt and exchange of energy and in carrying out restorative reactions. The action of hemoglobin is based on the capture of oxygen in the lungs, further oxidation and its transfer to all structures of the body.

When hemoglobin is lowered, this means the onset of oxygen depletion of all cells in the body and weakening of the immune system. In order to prevent a decrease in hemoglobin in the blood below normal, you need to know what to do if there is a lack of iron in the body. Let's figure out in what cases the level of hemoglobin in the blood decreases, what are its norms in different people and in what ways to increase the lack of this substance at home.

Hemoglobin rate

The well-being and health of a person depends on the level of hemoglobin in the blood. If the hemoglobin counts are below normal, then we are talking about anemia, which is considered a rather formidable and dangerous disease.

The norm of hemoglobin in the blood depends on the sex of the person:

  • In children, the hemoglobin content is normal, as in adults: before birth, HbA already begins to be synthesized, which by the year of life practically replaces fetal hemoglobin, which served the child during intrauterine development.
  • In women, from 115 to 145 g / l (during pregnancy from 110 g / l);
  • In men, from 130 to 160 g / l.

In terms of the volume of decrease in hemoglobin, iron deficiency anemias are of several degrees:

  • light (hemoglobin content from 110 g / l to 90 g / l);
  • medium (hemoglobin content from 90 g / l to 70 g / l);
  • severe (hemoglobin content less than 70 g / l).

There is also latent anemia (latent). It is characterized by the normal presence of hemoglobin in erythrocytes against the background of a decrease in serum iron. At the same time, the symptoms of its decrease appear quite clearly. This condition is often inherent in women during pregnancy.

Symptoms of low hemoglobin

In addition to a blood test, which immediately reveals a lack of this most important protein in the body, there are a number of symptoms: from them one can independently assume a low level of hemoglobin in the blood.

In men and women, these are the signs:

  • general weakness of the body, drowsiness;
  • pale skin, sometimes it even seems "transparent";
  • bluish lips;
  • the skin becomes dry and begins to peel off;
  • in especially advanced cases, nails begin to break and hair falls out;
  • for children, the main symptom of a lack of hemoglobin is frequent illnesses.

While recognizing the symptoms of low hemoglobin in adults, you can successfully bring it back to normal without resorting to the help of doctors. But first, you need to know the reasons that reduce the content of this important element in the blood.

Causes of low hemoglobin

Why is hemoglobin low in adults, what does this mean? The body can lose hemoglobin for various reasons. This happens most quickly with blood loss - both explicit and latent. Obvious bleeding occurs with heavy and prolonged menstruation in women (more than five days), various wounds, trauma or operations.

Poor nutrition with insufficient amounts of animal proteins, vitamins and minerals leads to. Low hemoglobin is often found in people promoting vegetarianism or on a diet for a long time. In childhood, anemia develops with unbalanced or insufficient nutrition.

Latent bleeding is possible with some gastrointestinal diseases, pathologies of the female reproductive system (and so on). Autoimmune diseases, infections or hereditary diseases can lead to a decrease in hemoglobin and a short life of red blood cells.

Consequences

In adults, a decrease in hemoglobin concentration leads to the fact that the body does not receive the required amount of oxygen. The general condition of patients is violated and the above-described complaints appear.

  1. The consequence of this may be a decrease in immunity and, as a result, an increase in the frequency of infectious diseases.
  2. In most cases, there is rapid human fatigability and constant weakness.
  3. can cause deformation in human epithelial tissues - the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, mouth, gastrointestinal tract and the upper protective layers of the skin.
  4. Often, anemia becomes the cause of disorders of the nervous system: irritability appears, unreasonable mood swings, concentration of attention decreases.

In addition, with anemia, there can be manifestations such as cracked lips, severe muscle weakness, hair loss, brittle nails and an addiction to special smells that other people find unpleasant.

Low hemoglobin during pregnancy

Low hemoglobin levels during pregnancy are common for expectant mothers. A significant deviation from the norm can negatively affect the health of both the mother and the baby. This is fraught with the following complications:

  • hypotension of the uterus (a decrease in the contractility of its muscles);
  • hypoxia (oxygen starvation of the fetus);
  • delay, or even cessation of the growth and development of the fetus;
  • low birth weight;
  • disturbances in the work of the respiratory and nervous systems.

In addition, many doctors are confident that a woman's low hemoglobin during childbirth can negatively affect the health of the child in the future. Such children do poorly at school, often get sick, suffer from various pathologies of internal organs. Therefore, if during pregnancy it is below normal, treatment under the supervision of a doctor is extremely necessary.

How to increase hemoglobin?

What to do? In order to increase hemoglobin in the blood, just in case, you need to know the reason for its fall. You can use as many products as you like that increase hemoglobin (iron, B vitamins), but if they are not properly absorbed in the digestive tract, then success can not be expected.

The main pathogenetic method of therapy is the intake of iron-containing drugs (Heferol, Ferroplex, Ferlatum and others). As a rule, oral forms are prescribed, but in severe cases, drugs are recommended to be administered parenterally. Treatment of patients prone to intestinal dysfunction involves the simultaneous administration of enzyme and coating preparations.

If the prescribed drugs are well tolerated, they are used in maximum doses, followed by maintenance therapy with a decrease in dosage for several months. In this case, be sure to monitor the level of iron in erythrocytes and blood serum. If necessary, vitamin B12, B9 and ascorbic acid are also prescribed. In severe cases, transfusion of whole blood or erythrocyte mass is used.

Iron supplements for low hemoglobin in adults

Drugs to increase hemoglobin are prescribed only by a doctor and, of course, under his strict control. This is due to the presence of side effects after taking medications, among which are: nausea, a feeling of irritability in the stomach, diarrhea, constipation and vomiting.

The following drugs that increase hemoglobin in the blood are very common and popular:

  1. Ferro-foil;
  2. Sorbifer Durules;
  3. Ferretab;
  4. Ferrum Lek;
  5. Hemofer drops;
  6. Totem;
  7. Maltofer.

The course of treatment lasts from two weeks to three months. In this case, a visible result occurs after about 2-3 weeks of taking the medication. If there is no ascorbic acid in the composition, then it is necessary to additionally take vitamin C up to 0.3 g per day.

If low hemoglobin is found and pills are treated, it is forbidden to drink calcium-containing products at the same time, since they are antagonists. Therefore, iron should be washed down with milk, which is greener than coffee.

Diet

Foods that promote nutritional therapy for low hemoglobin include:

  1. Red meat varieties - rabbit, beef.
  2. White chicken meat.
  3. Beef tongue, beef liver.
  4. Egg yolks.
  5. Seafood, fish.
  6. Legumes.
  7. Buckwheat and other cereals.
  8. Carrots, beets, dark green vegetables.
  9. Walnuts.
  10. Pomegranate, apples and berries are high in vitamin C.

In no case should you take such a diet with low hemoglobin too literally and switch to proteins alone - it is difficult for the body to assimilate all this. Be sure to garnish the meat with vegetables and herbs, and eat whole-grain porridge for breakfast. As a supplement to the diet to increase hemoglobin, it is advisable to drink juices - grape, pomegranate, carrot, beetroot, apple.

At the same time, in order to improve the absorption of iron, the consumption of dairy products, fatty foods, flour products, green tea and coffee should be minimized.

Oxygen is an essential element for ensuring the vital activity of a living being; it takes part in the receipt and exchange of energy and in carrying out restorative reactions. The action of hemoglobin is based on the capture of oxygen in the lungs, further oxidation and its transfer to all structures of the body.

When hemoglobin is lowered, this means the onset of oxygen depletion of all cells in the body and weakening of the immune system. In order to prevent a decrease in hemoglobin in the blood below normal, you need to know what to do if there is a lack of iron in the body. Let's figure out in what cases the level of hemoglobin in the blood decreases, what are its norms in different people and in what ways to increase the lack of this substance at home.

Hemoglobin rate

The well-being and health of a person depends on the level of hemoglobin in the blood. If the hemoglobin counts are below normal, then we are talking about anemia, which is considered a rather formidable and dangerous disease.

The norm of hemoglobin in the blood depends on the sex of the person:

  • In children, the hemoglobin content is normal, as in adults: before birth, HbA already begins to be synthesized, which by the year of life practically replaces fetal hemoglobin, which served the child during intrauterine development.
  • In women, from 115 to 145 g / l (during pregnancy from 110 g / l);
  • In men, from 130 to 160 g / l.

In terms of the volume of decrease in hemoglobin, iron deficiency anemias are of several degrees:

  • light (hemoglobin content from 110 g / l to 90 g / l);
  • medium (hemoglobin content from 90 g / l to 70 g / l);
  • severe (hemoglobin content less than 70 g / l).

There is also latent anemia (latent). It is characterized by the normal presence of hemoglobin in erythrocytes against the background of a decrease in serum iron. At the same time, the symptoms of its decrease appear quite clearly. This condition is often inherent in women during pregnancy.

Symptoms of low hemoglobin

In addition to a blood test, which immediately reveals a lack of this most important protein in the body, there are a number of symptoms: from them one can independently assume a low level of hemoglobin in the blood.

In men and women, these are the signs:

  • general weakness of the body, drowsiness;
  • pale skin, sometimes it even seems "transparent";
  • bluish lips;
  • the skin becomes dry and begins to peel off;
  • in especially advanced cases, nails begin to break and hair falls out;
  • for children, the main symptom of a lack of hemoglobin is frequent illnesses.

While recognizing the symptoms of low hemoglobin in adults, you can successfully bring it back to normal without resorting to the help of doctors. But first, you need to know the reasons that reduce the content of this important element in the blood.

Causes of low hemoglobin

Why is hemoglobin low in adults, what does this mean? The body can lose hemoglobin for various reasons. This happens most quickly with blood loss - both explicit and latent. Obvious bleeding occurs with heavy and prolonged menstruation in women (more than five days), hemorrhoids, various wounds, trauma or operations.

Poor nutrition with insufficient amounts of animal proteins, vitamins and minerals leads to iron deficiency anemia. Low hemoglobin is often found in people promoting vegetarianism or on a diet for a long time. In childhood, anemia develops with unbalanced or insufficient nutrition.

Latent bleeding is possible with some gastrointestinal diseases, pathologies of the female reproductive system (ovarian cyst, uterine fibroids, etc.). Autoimmune diseases, infections or hereditary diseases can lead to a decrease in hemoglobin and a short life of red blood cells.

Consequences

In adults, a decrease in hemoglobin concentration leads to the fact that the body does not receive the required amount of oxygen. The general condition of patients is violated and the above-described complaints appear.

  1. The consequence of this may be a decrease in immunity and, as a result, an increase in the frequency of infectious diseases.
  2. In most cases, there is rapid human fatigability and constant weakness.
  3. Anemia can cause deformation in the epithelial tissues of a person - the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, mouth, gastrointestinal tract and the upper protective layers of the skin.
  4. Often, anemia becomes the cause of disorders of the nervous system: irritability appears, unreasonable mood swings, concentration of attention decreases.

In addition, with anemia, there can be manifestations such as cracked lips, severe muscle weakness, hair loss, brittle nails and an addiction to special smells that other people find unpleasant.

Low hemoglobin during pregnancy

Low hemoglobin levels during pregnancy are common for expectant mothers. A significant deviation from the norm can negatively affect the health of both the mother and the baby. This is fraught with the following complications:

  • hypotension of the uterus (a decrease in the contractility of its muscles);
  • hypoxia (oxygen starvation of the fetus);
  • delay, or even cessation of the growth and development of the fetus;
  • low birth weight;
  • disturbances in the work of the respiratory and nervous systems.

In addition, many doctors are confident that a woman's low hemoglobin during childbirth can negatively affect the health of the child in the future. Such children do poorly at school, often get sick, suffer from various pathologies of internal organs. Therefore, if during pregnancy it is below normal, treatment under the supervision of a doctor is extremely necessary.

How to increase hemoglobin?

What to do? In order to increase hemoglobin in the blood, just in case, you need to know the reason for its fall. You can use as many products as you like that increase hemoglobin (iron, B vitamins), but if they are not properly absorbed in the digestive tract, then success can not be expected.

The main pathogenetic method of therapy is the intake of iron-containing drugs (Heferol, Ferroplex, Ferlatum and others). As a rule, oral forms are prescribed, but in severe cases, drugs are recommended to be administered parenterally. Treatment of patients prone to intestinal dysfunction involves the simultaneous administration of enzyme and coating preparations.

If the prescribed drugs are well tolerated, they are used in maximum doses, followed by maintenance therapy with a decrease in dosage for several months. In this case, be sure to monitor the level of iron in erythrocytes and blood serum. If necessary, vitamin B12, B9 and ascorbic acid are also prescribed. In severe cases, transfusion of whole blood or erythrocyte mass is used.

Iron supplements for low hemoglobin in adults

Drugs to increase hemoglobin are prescribed only by a doctor and, of course, under his strict control. This is due to the presence of side effects after taking medications, among which are: nausea, a feeling of irritability in the stomach, diarrhea, constipation and vomiting.

The following drugs that increase hemoglobin in the blood are very common and popular:

The course of treatment lasts from two weeks to three months. In this case, a visible result occurs after about 2-3 weeks of taking the medication. If there is no ascorbic acid in the composition, then it is necessary to additionally take vitamin C up to 0.3 g per day.

If low hemoglobin is found and pills are treated, it is forbidden to drink calcium-containing products at the same time, since they are antagonists. Therefore, iron should be washed down with milk, which is greener than coffee.

Diet

Foods that promote nutritional therapy for low hemoglobin include:

  1. Red meat varieties - rabbit, beef.
  2. White chicken meat.
  3. Beef tongue, beef liver.
  4. Egg yolks.
  5. Seafood, fish.
  6. Legumes.
  7. Buckwheat and other cereals.
  8. Carrots, beets, dark green vegetables.
  9. Walnuts.
  10. Pomegranate, apples and berries are high in vitamin C.

In no case should you take such a diet with low hemoglobin too literally and switch to proteins alone - it is difficult for the body to assimilate all this. Be sure to garnish the meat with vegetables and herbs, and eat whole-grain porridge for breakfast. As a supplement to the diet to increase hemoglobin, it is advisable to drink juices - grape, pomegranate, carrot, beetroot, apple.

At the same time, in order to improve the absorption of iron, the consumption of dairy products, fatty foods, flour products, green tea and coffee should be minimized.

Why is iron in the blood increased, what does this mean?

Hemoglobin: the norm in women and men by age

Increased hemoglobin, causes in women and men

Iron deficiency anemia - symptoms and treatment

Anemia - symptoms and treatment

One comment

Good evening. I have hemolytic anemia. I take prednisone. (appointed by a hematologist) Low hemoglobin all the time, but! two weeks ago I rose to 110. for me this is progress, because there has been no more than a hundred for a year already, I decided to speed up the lifting process (120 is needed to cancel hormones), I started drinking Maltofer iron, and what chagrin awaited me after the last blood donation. 88! fell very much in two weeks. What could have influenced? not drug compatibility?

Add comment Cancel reply

Decoding analyzes online

Doctor's consultation

Fields of Medicine

Popular

only a qualified doctor can treat diseases.

Causes and symptoms of low hemoglobin

Low hemoglobin is associated in the minds of people with ill health, weakness, anemia. In order to prevent the development of such conditions, you need to know the signs, what it means if hemoglobin is lowered, why it decreases in the blood in adults and children, and how dangerous this condition is to health.

What is the danger of low hemoglobin

Hemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells that provides oxygen to all organs in the body. Lack of oxygen can result in hypoxia, severe health consequences.

Low hemoglobin negatively affects the work of all organs, this leads to violations:

  • work of the cardiovascular system - the myocardium with a lack of oxygen partially reduces performance;
  • functions of the brain and nerves, which is manifested by a decrease in vitality, memory impairment, daytime sleepiness, insomnia;
  • the reactivity of the immune system, resulting in frequent infections, allergies, autoimmune diseases.

Signs of low hemoglobin

Quite often, a person for a long time may not even suspect that a breakdown, bad mood and appearance may be the result of a lack of the trace element iron in the blood.

All these signs, characteristic of low hemoglobin in the blood, do not always manifest themselves clearly. The deterioration in health occurs gradually, and is often attributed to lack of sleep, fatigue at work, and unbalanced diet.

Both adults and children need to pay attention to symptoms such as:

  • dyspnea;
  • dry skin;
  • feeling of dry mouth;
  • constant fatigue, lack of vigor after sleep.

Without treatment, the condition with low hemoglobin worsens, the patient develops symptoms:

  • weakness;
  • tachycardia;
  • low blood pressure;
  • headache;
  • peeling nails;
  • hair loss;
  • subfebrile (37.4 0 C) body temperature.

Lack of iron in the body is often accompanied by a deficiency of vitamins B9, B12 and is manifested by glossitis. The symptom of this disease is a brightly colored, shiny tongue.

The indicators of hemoglobin in the blood (in g / l) are considered normal:

  • in children - depends on age, at 3 months from 95 to 135;
  • for women - from 120 to 150;
  • in women during pregnancy -;
  • for men - an average of 130 - 160, extreme boundaries - 120 and 180.

The analysis is carried out in the morning on an empty stomach. This is due to the fact that the level of hemoglobin changes during the day. The lowest daily values ​​are observed within an hour after meals.

Reasons for a decrease in hemoglobin

If we consider what causes the hemoglobin in the blood to decrease, then among the various reasons we can distinguish:

  • a decrease in the concentration of red blood cells in plasma;
  • lack of components for the synthesis of a peptide molecule;
    • lack of amino acids;
    • lack of enzymes-catalysts - vitamins B, C, PP, trace elements of copper, manganese;
    • lack of iron.

Decrease in the concentration of red blood cells

A decrease in the content of hemoglobin in plasma is noted as a result of chronic or acute blood loss caused by external trauma or internal causes. Blood loss can develop with gastric ulcer, intestinal ulcer. They can be chronic. In this case, the source of internal microbleeding may not be detected for a long time, which gradually reduces the concentration of erythrocytes in the blood.

A quite tangible source of loss of red blood cells can be bleeding in chronic hemorrhoids. And black feces can speak not only of gastric bleeding, but also of intestinal diverticulosis - a disease in which a protrusion forms in its wall.

By the age of 50, 1/3 of the population has diverticula, and symptoms of the disease appear in only 20% of patients. Diverticula are formed as a result of eating predominantly meat food and with a lack of fiber.

Mass destruction of red blood cells occurs during high physical exertion, infectious diseases associated with fever. The level of this transport peptide decreases in sickle-shaped anemia, since the causative agent of the disease directly destroys the enzyme.

Lack of amino acids and iron

The reason for the low hemoglobin in the blood can be periods of prolonged fasting, mono-diets, while the consequences of voluntary starvation are manifested by metabolic disorders and somatic diseases.

Symptoms of low hemoglobin often appear in women with impaired absorption in the stomach caused by a violation of the intestinal microflora and local immunity of the intestinal mucosa.

A decrease in hemoglobin in the blood in women can cause such reasons as prolonged heavy menstruation, high iron consumption during lactation, pregnancy.

Decreased hemoglobin in women

The reason for low hemoglobin in women after 40 years can be changes in hormonal levels during menopause. Often this time is associated with a slowdown in metabolism and weight gain, which forces you to sit on a strict diet.

Poor nutrition is often the main reason why women have a decrease in hemoglobin at the age of 40 - 50 years to 107 - 111 or even lower values.

How to increase low hemoglobin, and what are the consequences if the cause that caused this disorder in women is not eliminated?

A very low level of hemoglobin in women may be accompanied by signs of a deficiency of folic acid in the blood, symptoms of a deficiency of Mn, Cu, which is why all these nutrients are prescribed for complex treatment.

A common cause of low hemoglobin is a lack of iron combined with a lack of folic acid, as indicated by:

  • pallor of the skin;
  • brittle hair;
  • lack of appetite;
  • weight loss with a normal diet;
  • insomnia.

Lack of B vitamins, associated with iron deficiency, leads to the destruction of the myelin sheath of the nerves, which causes neuritis, is manifested by impaired tactile sensitivity, convulsions.

Low hemoglobin after 50 years can mean vitamin B12 deficiency and a lack of ascorbic acid. If changes in blood counts are accompanied by signs of disorders in the digestive tract, then this may indicate bleeding in the stomach or intestines.

Analysis indicators during pregnancy

The main reason why hemoglobin in the blood in women drops to low values ​​during pregnancy is the increased need for this trace element in the fetus and placenta. During pregnancy, 30 - 45% of women develop gestational anemia, which is associated with a temporary decrease in this indicator.

The reason for the fall in the level of hemoglobin in the blood of a woman may be frequent childbirth (more often than after 4 years), because of which the body simply does not have time to recover.

But it is possible to conclude that a woman has true anemia, not amenable to nutritional correction, requiring medication, if the characteristic symptoms of low hemoglobin appear at the beginning of pregnancy.

Early pregnancy

What to do if hemoglobin is lowered to, what does this mean and what are the reasons for such low values ​​of the analysis in women during pregnancy?

In the first trimester, a decrease in hemoglobin levels to 93, 95, 99 is also noted in perfectly healthy women. At this time, the placenta grows, the fetal organs are laid, and the hemoglobin consumption is increased.

You need to worry if other deviations from the norm are observed in the analyzes. And also, when hemoglobin in women in the first trimester of pregnancy falls below normal and reaches 85 - 88.

Such a low level of hemoglobin in the blood at this stage of pregnancy means a moderate degree of anemia. The violation is eliminated by correcting nutrition, taking vitamin and mineral complexes under the supervision of a doctor.

If hemoglobin drops to 75-76, then these values ​​already precede the severe stage of anemia. Such conditions, if left untreated, can cause severe anemia that develops in a woman with hemoglobineg / l.

Signs of anemia during pregnancy

It is possible to successfully treat anemia during pregnancy even at the most advanced stages. But, in order not to harm the development of the fetus, it is important to consult a doctor if symptoms of a lack of hemoglobin in the blood appear:

  • lack of appetite or perverted taste;
  • dark circles under the eyes;
  • darkness in the eyes, fainting;
  • spastic constipation, in which feces take the form of sheep pellets;
  • frequent headaches, weakness.

One of the reasons why hemoglobin drops sharply in the blood during pregnancy to low levels of hemoglobin may be the carrying of twins, and a drop in indicators sometimes occurs due to the intake of chloramphenicol, cytostatics or some other drugs.

Changes in the second half of pregnancy

A decrease in hemoglobin in the blood in the last months of pregnancy is a natural state due to an increased blood volume, which reduces the concentration of vitamins B9, B12, copper and other important nutrients circulating in it.

How can low hemoglobin be dangerous for a woman and a fetus, what to do if it falls to 40-50 g / l, is there a danger to fetal development in the second half of pregnancy?

After giving birth, with a balanced diet, the lack of this transport protein in the mother's body is compensated. But for the developing fetus, hypoxia, which is created due to the mother's anemia during pregnancy, poses a serious threat.

Anemia during pregnancy increases the baby's risk of allergic and infectious diseases. If the expectant mother has little hemoglobin in her blood, then there is a danger:

  • placental abruption, early discharge of amniotic fluid;
  • delivery ahead of schedule;
  • miscarriage, stillbirth.

Severe disorders require nutritional correction and treatment. Low rates during pregnancy can lead to underweight in the newborn, which provokes rickets, decreased immunity, hormonal disorders in the baby.

Decreased hemoglobin in men

Hemoglobin levels in men are higher than in women. The difference is caused by the greater muscle mass, high activity of the testosterone hormone in men. There is a lack of hemoglobin in men, especially in old age, not less often, and even more often than in women.

The reasons for the low analysis rates in men are usually:

  • renal failure;
  • ulcers of the stomach and intestines;
  • blood diseases.

Symptoms of low hemoglobin, which are typical for both men and women, are noted with hemorrhoids. In turn, a drop in hemoglobin in men can cause a decrease in potency due to a deterioration in blood circulation, changes in blood counts and spermogram.

Low hemoglobin in children

A low analysis rate at any age in a child indicates a developmental disorder. Negative consequences are manifested in the child's lagging behind in physical, mental, emotional development. A decrease in the concentration of the iron-containing peptide is found in children quite often, especially during periods of rapid growth.

With emotional instability, tearfulness, rapid fatigability in a child, hypoxia and a deficiency of this transport protein in the body can be assumed.

Decreased hemoglobin in infants is directly related to a lack of it in the mother during pregnancy. The reasons for the violation can be:

  • premature birth;
  • infection at birth;
  • premature cord ligation;
  • hereditary blood diseases.

Decreased hemoglobin in the elderly

According to WHO statistics, from 65 to 74 years, a reduced level of hemoglobin in the blood occurs in 8% of the population. And with age, the prevalence of this phenomenon only increases.

In the age group from 85 years old, reduced test rates are noted in 23% of people. Anemia is often found in women during examinations for the treatment of other diseases.

A decrease in blood test indicators is manifested in old age by symptoms of weakness of the ligamentous apparatus. In this case, gait is disturbed, posture suffers.

In older people, impairment of the quality of red blood cells affects to a large extent the functioning of the brain. The risk of dementia in the elderly, caused by oxygen deficiency in the brain tissue, is increased by 40%.

The reasons for very low hemoglobin in old age can be:

  • chronic infection;
  • diseases of the heart, lungs;
  • autoimmune process.

Treatment

Improvements in blood test indicators are achieved by eliminating the cause that caused the decrease in hemoglobin. The deficiency of transport protein is fought mainly with the help of iron-containing preparations, since this condition is caused mainly by a lack of iron.

Medicines are prescribed in combination with ascorbic and folic acid, additional intake of copper and manganese, if, according to the test results, a shortage of these microelements in the body is found.

Until recently, it was believed that the cause of low hemoglobin in old age is the natural aging process, which does not require special treatment.

However, at any age, a decrease in indicators occurs as a result of a very specific disease. Finding the cause of the disease can be quite difficult due to the long asymptomatic course of the disease, as well as implicit, blurred symptoms similar to the manifestations of other chronic diseases.

Features of the diet

Insignificant deviations of the test parameters from the norm can be corrected by changing the diet. It should contain liver, meat, fish dishes, eggs, oatmeal, buckwheat, legumes.

We must not forget about vegetables and fruits. Although they contain less iron than meat products, they contain a lot of ascorbic acid, vitamins B9 and B12, without which full absorption of iron is impossible.

© Phlebos - site about vein health

Information and Consulting Center for Varicose Veins.

Copying of materials is allowed only if there is an active link to the address of the article.

Anemia (anemia) is a condition of the body in which the concentration of hemoglobin in the blood sharply decreases with a parallel decrease in the number of erythrocytes. Anemia, as a syndrome, occurs in various pathological conditions, but it can also be congenital.

The single classification criterion by which anemia is divided is the color indicator (CP), which demonstrates the degree of saturation of erythrocytes with hemoglobin. Normally, the CPU ranges from 0.85 to 1.15. Depending on the CP, the following types of anemia are distinguished:

Hypochromic (iron deficiency, thalassemia) - color indicator 1.1;

Normal hemoglobin levels

SEX AGE Hb (G / L)

Boys + girls 3 months to 5 years 110

Boys + girls From 5 years old to

Boys + girls 12 years old to

Non-pregnant women

Pregnant women 110

Why is hemoglobin below normal

A pathological condition can occur due to the external influence of certain factors, as well as due to painful processes inside the body. Those. the reasons for the development of anemia can be any tissue damage: trauma or surgery with significant blood loss, as well as a developing disease.

Hemoglobin can decrease in women during heavy menstruation, when the interval between periods becomes less than three weeks, with uterine bleeding, cervical erosion, inflammatory processes in the small pelvis.

Anemia occurs when the gastrointestinal tract is disrupted, when iron, which is part of the hemoglobin molecule, as well as other useful substances, is poorly absorbed. Causes anemia, internal bleeding with gastric and duodenal ulcers, bleeding hemorrhoids, nosebleeds. Hard diets and vegetarianism lead to a decrease in hemoglobin.

Anemia can be associated with pregnancy. During this period, in order to maintain the normal functioning of all organs and systems, the body more intensively consumes valuable substances and, in particular, iron.

A decrease in hemoglobin occurs in infectious diseases. It occurs due to a violation of the normal absorption of iron, cyanocobalamin, folic acid.

The presence of helminthic invasion, especially in children, also leads to anemia. This is due to the fact that most helminths are hemophages and feed on the host's blood, absorbing vitamin B12. The toxins that worms release have a depressing effect on the hematopoietic organs, which is important in the development of anemia.

Anemia acts as a complication of any malignant process in the body. Its growth speaks of the neglect of the disease, and the metastasis of a malignant tumor.

Anemia can occur from taking ibuprofen and medications that contain aspirin.

Anemia has three degrees of severity:

Light degree Hb 90

Medium Hb 90-70

Severe Hb

Anemia is a pathological condition in which the level of hemoglobin decreases, which leads to a deterioration in the saturation of organs and tissues with oxygen. At the same time, the load on the cardiovascular system, respiratory and hematopoietic organs increases, immunity decreases, and general depletion of the body develops. This article describes the reasons for the decrease in hemoglobin levels, the clinical manifestations of this pathology and the principles of its treatment.

Characteristics of hemoglobin

Hemoglobin is a complex protein from the chromoprotein class and is responsible for transporting oxygen between the lungs and body tissues, as well as maintaining a stable blood pH and metabolic processes in cells. The hemoglobin content can vary widely and depends on many factors, especially gender and age. So, in women, its concentration is g / l and depends on the day of the menstrual cycle or the hormonal background of the body. Pregnancy also has a great influence on this indicator. During this period, the amount of hemoglobin decreases, since the volume of circulating blood is actively increasing, and iron goes to the needs of not only the woman, but also the fetus.

In men, g / l is considered a normal hemoglobin concentration. It is slightly higher than in women, which can be explained by the presence of the sex hormone testosterone, as well as more active physical work, which requires a higher concentration of oxygen, and, accordingly, more hemoglobin.

In elderly people, as a rule, an insufficient amount of this compound is recorded, which is associated with endocrine dysfunctions, the presence of chronic diseases, more frequent pathologies of the bone marrow, with the intake of certain medications. In addition, in the elderly, the absorption of nutrients is impaired through chronic gastritis, pancreatitis or other diseases of the digestive system, which also leads to the development of anemia.

It is important to note that when assessing the results of a blood test, attention is paid not only to the concentration of hemoglobin, but also to the degree of saturation of red blood cells with it. This is the average concentration of hemoglobin in an erythrocyte. It does not depend on the volume of blood cells, therefore it is sensitive to any disturbances. In addition, if this indicator is reduced, but the number of erythrocytes and hemoglobin is within the normal range, then we can talk about an incorrect blood test.

It should also be noted that there is a certain dependence of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate and hemoglobin - a high ESR is accompanied by a decrease in its level and vice versa.

Etiology

For the formation of a normal amount of hemoglobin, the following is necessary:

  • a sufficient amount of iron in food;
  • the absence of pathologies that impede its normal absorption;
  • the presence of animal protein in the daily diet;
  • sufficient intake of folic acid, pyridoxine, vitamin C and B12. Why? Because it is these compounds that are directly involved in the formation of red blood cells in the bone marrow;
  • absence of diseases of the hematopoietic organs.

In addition, the following are among the most common causes of anemia:

Anemia, as a rule, is a consequence of certain diseases or disorders in the body, therefore it has no specific symptoms. General weakness, worsening sleep, excessive fatigue, frequent headaches are recorded, but such symptoms are characteristic of changes in many physicochemical parameters of blood.

If we talk about subjective manifestations, then patients complain of dizziness and shortness of breath, as well as tinnitus, impaired appetite or complete anorexia, which is manifested by aversion to food. Loss of consciousness and low-grade fever are also recorded.

These signs indicate an insufficient saturation of tissues with oxygen and a violation of the acid-base balance in the cells. With an excessive decrease in hemoglobin, acidosis develops. This threatens with the appearance of vomiting, diarrhea, increased blood pressure, as well as oppression of the center of respiration and contraction of the heart.

A low hemoglobin level is also characterized by a number of degenerative symptoms, which include:

  • changes in nails (they become brittle, stained, often affected by fungi);
  • dystrophic changes in hair (they become thin, dry, grow poorly and fall out intensively);
  • damage to the mucous membrane of the tongue, which is manifested by pain;
  • dryness and excessive pallor of the skin;
  • leg muscle cramps and tingling sensation in the feet.

If hemoglobin is low, the examination of the patient reveals tachycardia with a heart rate of more than 90 beats per minute, a murmur in the heart and a stronger apical impulse of the heart, as well as hypotension (low blood pressure) and deviations from the normal values ​​of the color index when conducting a detailed blood test.

Why is low hemoglobin dangerous?

With a decrease in the level of this indicator, the general condition of the patients is disturbed and the above-described complaints appear. In addition, immunity decreases, which leads to a more frequent development of infectious diseases. In children, memory deteriorates, mental retardation and growth are observed. The consequences of low hemoglobin also include an enlarged liver and edema in the legs, and the likelihood of cardiomyopathy increases. What does it mean? This indicates that the body does not have enough oxygen, so the heart is forced to work with a double load, and this ultimately leads to the development of heart failure.

In addition, if there is little hemoglobin in the blood, this negatively affects the functioning of the nervous system. Children lag behind in psychomotor development, and adults have a bad mood, lethargy or increased excitability.

How to increase hemoglobin?

First of all, the causes of this violation should be eliminated. The main pathogenetic method of therapy is the intake of iron-containing drugs. As a rule, oral forms are prescribed, but in severe cases, drugs are recommended to be administered parenterally. Treatment of patients prone to intestinal dysfunction involves the simultaneous administration of enzyme and coating preparations. If the prescribed drugs are well tolerated, they are used in maximum doses, followed by maintenance therapy with a decrease in dosage for several months. In this case, be sure to monitor the level of iron in erythrocytes and blood serum. If necessary, vitamin B12, B9 and ascorbic acid are also prescribed. In severe cases, transfusion of whole blood or erythrocyte mass is used.

Nutrition for anemia

To properly formulate a diet, you should know that iron is bivalent (heme, which is a source of meat products) and trivalent (non-heme, which is found in plant foods). In addition, you need to know that prolonged heat treatment of food products leads to oxidation of iron, so it cannot be used in the future for the synthesis of hemoglobin.

What should you eat? The best remedy is considered to be boiled pork or veal liver, which contains a lot of heme iron. During pregnancy, it is important to remember that it also contains a significant amount of vitamins A and D, with an excess of which the fetus can develop hypervitaminosis. With anemia, you need to eat more buckwheat and greens, since they are a valuable source of folic acid, which acts as an important catalyst in the synthesis of hemoglobin. The diet should include more fish, caviar, seafood, eggs, lentils, oatmeal, honey and raisins, tomatoes and green vegetables.

From drinks it is good to use pomegranate, apple, plum, carrot and beet juice with the addition of a lemon wedge, mineral waters. The diet for anemia involves limiting the use of coffee and strong tea, since they are able to flush iron out of the body.

What can not be eaten? From the diet, it is advisable to exclude foods that contain a lot of oxalates, since they hinder the absorption of iron. These include spinach, chocolate, boiled beans and tangerines, and strong broths.

What to do if signs of anemia appear? Do not self-medicate. It is strictly forbidden to take any drugs without first consulting a doctor, as this can lead to side effects and the development of hemosiderosis (excess iron in the body). Only if all the doctor's recommendations are followed, the prognosis of the disease is favorable.

Low hemoglobin, anemia, or anemia are all names for the same disease. This is a human condition in which the number of red blood cells (red blood cells) in the blood decreases. Hemoglobin is an iron-containing pigment that turns blood red. The complex combination of blood proteins and iron is called hemoglobin.

Symptoms and signs of anemia

  • cardiopalmus,
  • heart murmur
  • weakness,
  • fast fatiguability,
  • dyspnea,
  • decreased immunity.

Sometimes there are cramps in the lower limbs, cold to the touch limbs, frequent colds.

Anemia is less tolerated by men, and it is a little easier for women. But it's too early to rejoice, since the lack of this element in the body is more serious than the lack of ascorbic acid.

Causes of low hemoglobin

The decrease in hemoglobin does not just happen. There are a number of diseases and causes behind this. For example, the most common reasons are:

  • malnutrition
  • infectious diseases (chronic),
  • inflammatory processes in the body.

Diseases provoking low hemoglobin in the blood:

  • jaundice, which has been ill for a long time;
  • anemia occurs directly with blood loss during operations, childbirth, abortion, with latent bleeding, ulcers, gastritis, varicose veins, chronic bleeding hemorrhoids;
  • with a menstrual cycle with abundant discharge, endometriosis, pregnancy, anemia also occurs;
  • at the time of puberty, a large amount of iron is consumed;
  • anemia is very common among vegetarians.
  • lack of iron in the body can be congenital.

With a lack of iron, there are a little strange desires, for example, to eat chalk or clay. Unpleasant smells of gasoline, paint may start to like.

How can you increase hemoglobin?

Now in pharmacies there are a huge variety of iron-containing drugs that help increase hemoglobin. The simplest and most common is hematogen. But there are also tastier methods of replenishing your iron stores.

This element is found in fish, egg yolk, oatmeal, black bread, legumes, soybeans, dill, lettuce, parsley, peaches, and apples. Eat foods rich in vitamin C. It helps the gland to be absorbed.

Indicators of the norm in the blood test

For men - these are units, for women, for pregnant women - no less. To determine the level of hemoglobin in the blood, it is enough to pass one blood test from a finger - a general one.

Low hemoglobin in a child and baby. What to eat?

With low hemoglobin in infants, drug treatment is used in extreme severe cases. Most often, the mother is prescribed the intake of permissible approved drugs, the consumption of cattle meat, apples, liver, pomegranate. If the child has an allergy, then the mother's nutrition is corrected. A child in a year can be given a grated apple, chopped liver (little by little). At this age, meat is allowed. It needs to be crushed and fed to the crumbs.

Low hemoglobin during pregnancy.

During pregnancy, the hemoglobin level can be regulated by means such as hematogen. If the doctor deems it necessary, he can prescribe the blood-forming drug Ranferon-12.

Decreased hemoglobin levels in women and men.

Reduced hemoglobin in women and men is treated equally with preparations containing iron, diet.

Blood transfusion and low hemoglobin

With regard to blood transfusion at low rates, then such people should not become a donor in any case. This can cause irreparable consequences for the body. But it is even highly recommended to transfuse blood to people with anemia, especially if the drugs help for a short time.

Too low hemoglobin is very dangerous

Fatigue and lack of strength are sometimes attributed to overwork, but these are the first signs of the disease. If the blood count is less than 60 grams per 1 liter, then a blood transfusion is prescribed. Anemia is dangerous to a person's condition and life. The patient suffers from dizziness, cramps in the calves of the lower extremities, pallor of the skin, general malaise. If the hemoglobin of a very low person may not get up from the couch at all, there will be general weakness to such an extent.

Low hemoglobin treatment

To increase hemoglobin, you need to eat iron-containing foods:

Eating meat is very important for red blood cells. Vegetarians often have anemia.

Raising hemoglobin is simple and delicious!

Hemoglobin is a protein that contains iron and provides oxygen transport to tissues. If the body lacks this protein, anemia or iron deficiency anemia occurs.

As a result, the blood loses its ability to carry oxygen. This leads to a deterioration in metabolic processes in the body. Therefore, there is a decrease in hemoglobin.

Food, food.

The daily norm of hemoglobin for children under the age of 5-6 years is about 10 milligrams, at the age of 15 milligrams, for adults milligrams. First of all, you need to eat: liver, offal, shellfish (who has enough money for what). Spinach, figs, green onions, currants, potatoes, beets, radishes, organic ascorbic acid (75-90 mg per day for men and women, respectively) are very beneficial for anemia. When taking hormones, the content of ascorbic acid decreases. Eating cottage cheese, cheese, beef, and pork is essential for normal red blood cell levels. Vitamin B12 is not synthesized by plants. Drinking alcohol, tea, coffee reduce hemoglobin. It is better to replace drinks with dried fruit compotes. From herbs and berries, it is useful to take nettle, rose hips, lungwort, apricots.

Is there a normal hemoglobin with a low iron? With a low iron content in the blood, there can be no high hemoglobin.

Hemoglobin and platelets are related to each other, but there may be low platelets with high hemoglobin and vice versa. It's not scary. The main thing is that there are few platelets and the blood is not thick.

Diet after childbirth with low hemoglobin

After giving birth, you need to eat meat, herbs, vegetables, fruits. Do not use garlic, onions, citrus fruits. Eggs are an allergen. Because enough blood can be lost during childbirth, anemia can occur. This is corrected in a hospital setting with medication, and at home with a diet.

Blood test in the elderly

A blood test in people over 60 has different indicators than in young people. Still, they should not be greatly overestimated or underestimated. The boundaries of the norm for men and women should be approximately the same (if in youth, then in old age about the same) - this should be strived for.

If low blood pressure with low hemoglobin

With reduced hemoglobin, low blood pressure is common. It is nevertheless necessary to ensure that the pressure is not lower (upper indicator) and, accordingly, lower.

Low red blood cells and hemoglobin

This is a human condition in which the number of red blood cells in the blood decreases. If there are few blood cells, then the hemoglobin is low. These two concepts are directly proportional to each other.

Traditional medicine recipes for low hemoglobin

Categories

2018 Health Info. The information on this site is for informational purposes only and should not be used for self-diagnosis of health problems or for medicinal purposes. All copyrights to the materials belong to their respective owners.