If low hemoglobin what to do. Because of what hemoglobin decreases: causes and effective ways to increase it. Nutrition that eliminates the decrease in hemoglobin in the blood

According to statistics, low hemoglobin in the blood is characteristic of a third of the world's population. What does this popular ailment mean and what to do if it is detected?

Causes of low hemoglobin levels

Talking about the causes and consequences of low hemoglobin, it is worth starting with the first:

• Hemoglobin falls below normal most quickly with blood loss. They can be both explicit and hidden. Explicit - these are the consequences of operations, injuries, injuries. Low hemoglobin in women can also occur after heavy periods that last more than 5 days.. Childbirth also leads to profuse blood loss.
• Low hemoglobin levels are also observed with internal bleeding. That is, as a result of severe problems with the gastrointestinal tract, some pathologies. The latter, by the way, is often the cause of low hemoglobin in women.. This is uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts.
• Low hemoglobin in the blood is also formed if a person often becomes a donor. The word "often" means the frequency of more than 4 times per year.
• Speaking about the causes and consequences in women, it is worth remembering the diets so beloved by the fair sex. As in the case of blood transfusions, systematic dieting is also fraught. People who are characterized by such systematicity are at risk. Why does low hemoglobin appear in their case? Due to improperly organized nutrition and stress that accompany incorrectly planned weight loss.
• Speaking of unbalanced nutrition: fans of vegetarianism are also at risk. The body needs proteins! You can't do without carbohydrates alone.
• Low hemoglobin in men, women and children can be observed with a lack of vitamin B15.
• Diseases that cause low protein content include dysbacteriosis, chronic anemia and malignant pathologies, pneumonia, tuberculosis, and hepatitis. It is worth remembering autoimmune diseases - that is, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus.
• Low hemoglobin in men and women can be diagnosed if varicose veins veins.
• Speaking about the causes and consequences of low hemoglobin, one cannot but recall the banal heredity. Like many other things, the tendency to have a certain amount of protein in the blood can be genetically transmitted.
• Older people are also prone to a low concentration of protein. The table below shows that low hemoglobin in men and women often occurs after 65 years.

Low protein during pregnancy

In the blood of women in position and should in most cases be less protein. Of course, each organism tolerates the bearing of a child in different ways. But mostly low hemoglobin occurs during pregnancy. It can even drop to 110 g / l.

The fact is that the formation of the placenta and fetus from the body of the expectant mother from about 20 to 34 weeks takes a considerable amount of iron.

However, it is still necessary to take tests to determine the level of protein in the blood, since even for expectant mothers there are limits to the norm. The following low hemoglobin in pregnant women should alert:

What is the danger of low hemoglobin in such cases, if you do not pay due attention to the problem in time?

• Intrauterine development of the fetus will occur with a delay. He will begin to experience oxygen starvation - the so-called fetal hypoxia will occur.
• Possibly late toxicosis.
• It is quite possible to give birth that began earlier than the terms established by the doctor.
• A woman may not have the strength to give birth.
• Hemorrhages are likely.
• The postpartum period can be problematic.

Low blood protein in newborns: causes

Low hemoglobin in a child who was recently born is also a topic for a separate discussion. An indicator of 70-80 g / ml or less is considered abnormal.

In order to understand what causes low hemoglobin in infants, it is worth classifying the type of anemia in him:

• Iron deficiency - low hemoglobin in children of this type should be expected if their mothers had too little iron in the body during gestation. However, it is quite possible that the baby consumes little iron after birth, or it is simply not absorbed by the intestines.
• B12-deficient - this low hemoglobin in infants occurs when too large doses of vitamin C interfere with the absorption of vitamin B12.
• Folate deficiency - deficiency of vitamin B9, which promotes the synthesis of DNA, nucleic acids, RNA. This process directly relates to erythrocytes.
• Hemolytic - consists in the breakdown of red blood cells. Such low hemoglobin in children should be expected if they were born prematurely, are incompatible with the mother in blood, and have experienced the side effects of certain medications. In some cases, the cause may be intoxication with certain substances.
• Dyshemopoietic - is the result of a violation of hematopoiesis occurring in the red bone marrow. Such low hemoglobin in a child is rare.
• Posthemorrhagic - occurs even less frequently. Causes - trauma, surgery.
• But the rarest type of anemia is the one in which the protein component of the molecule is changed. Erythrocytes in this case carry oxygen with great difficulty. Such changes occur for hereditary reasons, due to mutations.

Low protein in newborns: signs

What are the signs of low hemoglobin in these young children?

• Weakened state, poor immunity, rapid morbidity.
• Weakness, manifested in the reluctant absorption of milk, fatigue and drowsiness.
• Pallor.
• Diarrhea or constipation - in other words, any violation of the stool.
• Tactile sensitivity becomes weaker.
• Possible heart murmur.
• Likely jaundice.

Symptoms of Low Protein

What signs of low hemoglobin help identify this problem?

• General weakness is a fairly typical symptom, not only for babies. Older children and adults also often get tired, experience constant drowsiness.
• Concentration is disturbed.
• Headaches, dizziness are another companions of a low protein content in the blood. Even fainting is possible.
• Muscles become weaker. Sometimes this phenomenon leads to urinary incontinence.
• The pressure drops.
• Appearance also noticeably suffers. For example, nails and hair become more brittle and grow slowly. The skin also dries out, becomes covered with cracks, turns pale.
• Taste and smell disturbances are likely. A person may like usually unpleasant odors such as acetone, exhaust gases, mothballs. Or there is a desire to try something inedible like sand, chalk.
• The mouth begins to feel dry. There is a pinching sensation in the tongue.
• In some cases, shortness of breath is observed.
• Possible heart murmur.
• Hands and feet are often cold.

For clarity, we present a diagram that shows the main symptoms and separately highlights the symptoms of anemia in a neglected state:

Consequences of lowering the level of protein in the blood

Speaking about the causes and consequences of anemia in women, men and children, it is worth mentioning the last point. So, what can the content of iron-containing protein below the norm lead to:

• First of all, a person's immunity decreases. As a result, even the most common cold can lead to complications. More serious diseases - even more so.
• Often the consequences of low hemoglobin in women, men and children are manifested in the form of a violation of the normal functioning of the brain, the central nervous system. The latter leads not only to lethargy, but also to tearfulness, increased irritability.
• Some organs also do not receive enough oxygen and malfunction. The problem is that, having no nerve endings, many organs do not signal a failure in any way.
• The liver may increase in size, swelling occurs on the legs.
• Anemia is a logical result of iron deficiency.
• A huge load falls on the heart, which in most cases results in cardiopathy. The fact is that, despite the lack of protein, the body will still strive to provide itself with oxygen by any means. And this means that the heart will begin to work more actively, dispersing red blood cells with available oxygen throughout the body.
• As mentioned when talking about the symptoms, the skin suffers. Often there are, if the problem is not solved, dermatitis, eczema.

How to increase the level of protein in the blood: drugs

Before talking about how and how to increase the level of protein in the blood, you should give good advice: any drugs with low hemoglobin must be taken strictly based on the dosage indicated in the instructions. Otherwise, you can get the opposite effect - an excess of iron. You should also be aware of similar effects, which sometimes occur in the form of diarrhea, vomiting, nausea.

However, side effects do not always occur. And if the dosage is observed, the following iron preparations with low hemoglobin in adults and children will only benefit:

• Sorbifer Durules can be attributed to well-established iron preparations with low hemoglobin in adults. It contains 320 g of ferrous sulfate, as well as ascorbic acid. It is taken as a tablet twice a day. It is important to take the tablet with plenty of water.
• "Fenyuls" - is a vitamin complex with iron in the composition. True, it contains less than in the previous tool. Namely, about 150 g. In addition to iron, it contains pantothenic and ascorbic acids, vitamin B. Due to this composition, the complex is perfectly absorbed, which helped him get into the rating " the best drugs for the prevention and treatment of anemia. It is taken in the first case for 30 days, one capsule per day, in the second - three times a day.
• "Ferrum Lek" - has both the form of chewable tablets and the form of injections. The first case is more popular. Each such tablet contains approximately 100 mg of iron. For the treatment of anemia, it is recommended to chew a tablet twice or thrice a day, for its prevention - once. Treatment can last 3 months.

Why iron may not be absorbed

Talking about how and how to increase the hemoglobin content in the blood, it should be noted separately that iron in anemia cannot always be absorbed. Here's why it might happen:

• Incorrectly selected type of iron. Some drugs contain the so-called ferric iron. The consumer does not always pay attention to this, grabbing only the cherished word "hardware" with his eyes. This type can also be assimilated, but not by everyone. In some cases, it provokes only heaviness in the stomach and constipation. It is preferable to find preparations with ferrous iron.
• Casein is the next reason. This is the name of a protein found in dairy products that sticks together with iron. Casein interferes with the absorption of iron - as a result, it is simply excreted from the body. Therefore, it is preferable to limit the consumption of dairy products. But if this is difficult to do, you should heed the following advice: 5 hours before and within 5 hours after taking medications containing iron, you do not need to consume dairy products.
• The lower the acidity of the stomach, the worse iron absorption will become.

About blood transfusion for anemia

The doctor prescribes a blood transfusion with low hemoglobin if the protein content is greatly underestimated. This procedure is a good addition to taking vitamin preparations. Here are the benefits of a blood transfusion for low hemoglobin:

• The content of iron-containing protein increases as quickly as possible.
• The general condition of a person, as well as his performance, are noticeably improved.

But, despite the obvious advantages and the speed of improvement in the patient's health, doctors do not often prescribe blood transfusions with low hemoglobin. Mostly this happens as an emergency, since the transfusion of someone else's blood is stressful for the body.

It is produced both in one stage and in several. In any case, this happens according to a certain pattern.

When the iron content is low, ignoring this fact is a very bad idea. The consequences of low hemoglobin in women, men and children are quite serious, so it is important to study all the symptoms, and then not delay treatment.

Anemia is one of the most common problems in the world. This is due to the fact that a decrease in the level of hemoglobin occurs in a variety of diseases and may have different mechanisms of occurrence. From a medical point of view, anemia is not even a full-fledged independent disease. This is a pathological condition that most often only accompanies the course of other diseases. However, regardless of the cause, all patients with anemia develop similar symptoms. This made it possible to single it out as a separate term.

The problem of increasing hemoglobin in patients with anemia can be solved in different ways. First of all, it depends on the underlying disease. The fact is that not all anemias are treated equally. Making an accurate diagnosis is essential to the successful fight against low hemoglobin. Another important criterion is the general condition of the patient. A slight decrease in hemoglobin may not manifest itself for a long time, and sometimes there is even no need to urgently raise it to a normal level. At the same time, patients with severe anemia should be immediately hospitalized, and their treatment will be more radical.

Signs of low hemoglobin

The decrease in hemoglobin in the blood can be absolute and relative. The fact is that decisive role it is not the amount of this protein that plays the role, but its concentration in a certain volume of blood. Thus, in diseases that disrupt the formation of hemoglobin, they speak of true anemia. With it, the amount of blood in the body remains the same, but the concentration of this particular substance decreases. In the case of a relative decrease in hemoglobin, its formation is not disturbed. However, for various reasons, plasma volume increases ( liquid part of blood). This condition is also called hydremia. A situation arises when the concentration of hemoglobin in the blood falls, despite the fact that its production remains normal. In both cases, the symptoms of anemia will be similar. True, with true anemia, the signs of the disease are usually more pronounced than with relative anemia.

You can suspect a decrease in hemoglobin if the following symptoms appear:

• dizziness;
• skin pallor;
• muscle weakness;
• cold intolerance;
• cheilitis;
• violations of the heart.

Dizziness

Dizziness is one of the most common signs of low hemoglobin. It is due to insufficient supply of oxygen to the brain tissues. At the same time, the lungs and heart work normally, but the blood is not able to dissolve the necessary amount of oxygen in itself and deliver it to the brain. The severity of dizziness can vary. Since this feeling is subjective, the doctor has no way to assess how severe this symptom is.

With a slight decrease in hemoglobin, patients may complain of periodic dizziness. It occurs only under the influence of certain external factors - physical activity, overheating, stress. The lower the patient's hemoglobin level, the more severe the symptom. In severe cases, there may be impaired coordination of movements, prolonged headaches, and even periodic loss of consciousness.

Pale skin

This symptom occurs due to the peculiarities of the color of the blood. The fact is that hemoglobin, saturated with oxygen, gives red blood cells a bright red color. During the passage of arterial blood through the vessels inside the skin, it seems to shine through the skin. As a result, a healthy color familiar to everyone appears. In patients with anemia, the amount of hemoglobin in the blood is lowered. Because of this, the blood is not saturated with oxygen in sufficient quantities and does not have such bright color. When passing through the vessels of the skin, this becomes noticeable. In people with anemia, the skin looks more pale, and a healthy blush on the cheeks is out of the question. It appears due to vasodilation. In this case, expansion will occur, but the blood in the capillaries will not give the skin its characteristic red color. In addition, in an anemic patient, blood flow is redistributed. In conditions of lack of oxygen, the body dilates the vessels of vital organs, and in the capillaries of the skin, blood flow, on the contrary, slows down.

In addition to the skin, mucous membranes can also turn pale. It is believed that the most sensitive in this regard is the mucous membrane of the eyes, the conjunctiva. She starts to turn pink as opposed to normal red) when hemoglobin falls to 100 g/l and below. More severe anemias lead to blanching of the oral mucosa, nail bed, and skin folds.

Chronic fatigue

This symptom is one of the most characteristic for patients with anemia. Its insufficient concentration, as mentioned above, creates problems with the supply of oxygen to various organs and tissues. Without oxygen, not a single cell of a living organism can perform its functions normally. Fatigue occurs due to the fact that oxygen is poorly supplied to the nerves and muscles. The patient constantly feels overwhelmed, he is passive and cannot cope with prolonged stress. In this case, we are talking not only about physical work. The concentration of attention, cognitive ( cognitive) function, memory worsens. Schoolchildren or students with a low level of hemoglobin begin to lag behind in their studies. They complain about constant fatigue, although they may not perform physical activity at all.

muscle weakness

This symptom occurs directly due to poor oxygen supply to the skeletal muscles. This is the name of the muscle groups that are controlled by a person consciously. Their weakness is manifested in the fact that a person tolerates physical activity worse. Athletes' results drop sharply, manual workers quickly get tired ( during the first hours of the working day). The rest of the people begin to get tired even from walking at a normal pace.

cold intolerance

Normally, heat in the body is produced due to the destruction of special chemical bonds in cells. To carry out such reactions, maintain a constant body temperature and accumulate high-energy chemical bonds, oxygen must be supplied. Patients with anemia do not receive it. Because of this, they do not adapt well to the cold, they quickly freeze. To compensate for energy costs, the body burns glycogen and fat stores. Therefore, people with chronically low hemoglobin may gradually lose weight and experience problems with weight gain.

The first complaint at a doctor's appointment may be a rapid freezing of the fingertips ( legs and arms), nose, ears. In these areas, blood circulation is the slowest, which is why they freeze faster even in a healthy person. In patients with anemia, oxygen is supplied there very little. If they stay in the cold for a long time, they have an increased risk of frostbite of varying severity.

Sleep disorders

Sleep disturbances, like dizziness, occur due to insufficient oxygen supply to the brain. This symptom is observed less often and is more typical for patients with severe anemia. The patient most often complains that, despite weakness, fatigue and apathy, he cannot fall asleep for a long time in the evening, and his sleep is generally shallow, disturbing.

cheilite

Cheilitis is a specific lesion of the lips. Most often, it is manifested by dryness and the appearance of slowly healing cracks in the corners of the lips. In a more severe case, dryness, pallor and peeling are observed throughout their length. Cheilitis in general can have many causes. One of them is anemia often associated with a lack of B vitamins). Cheilitis in this case should be regarded rather not as a symptom, but as a complication or an independent parallel ongoing disease.

Dyspnea

Shortness of breath appears with a serious decrease in the level of hemoglobin in the blood. This symptom is manifested by a violation of the rhythm of breathing. It becomes superficial. The patient experiences a lack of oxygen and cannot take a deep breath normally. As a rule, shortness of breath appears in the form of attacks after physical exertion. With low hemoglobin, this symptom occurs as a compensatory mechanism. The respiratory center in the brain receives the information that the oxygen content in the blood is low. This leads to increased breathing and dyspnoea) even with normal lung and heart function. Patients who experience shortness of breath due to low hemoglobin are considered very severe. They are subject to urgent hospitalization for a quick recovery of hemoglobin levels.

Heart disorders

Heart disorders, like shortness of breath, indicate severe anemia and a serious decrease in the level of hemoglobin in the blood. Along with the lungs, the heart also modifies its work to compensate for low oxygen levels in the blood. This is manifested in increased heart rate, stronger heart contractions that the patient himself can feel. The problem is that the heart muscle itself ( myocardium), intensively pumping blood, begins to consume more oxygen. Because of this, there are interruptions in the rhythm, a feeling of discomfort or even pain behind the sternum. During the examination, the cardiac impulse is usually increased, and the borders of the heart are expanded.

In general, all of the above symptoms are combined into the concept of "anemic hypoxia". It means precisely the insufficient supply of various tissues with oxygen against the background of low hemoglobin. The severity of the manifestations of this condition directly depends on the severity of anemia. Lower hemoglobin causes more severe symptoms.

However, in many patients with mild anemia, there may be no symptoms of the disease at all. Patients with anemia sometimes live for years without knowing they have any health problems. Reduced hemoglobin is detected by chance during a preventive blood donation or an analysis for another disease. This is because the body has many mechanisms to compensate for anemia. While they work normally, the disease may be asymptomatic. The body's potential to compensate for anemia varies from person to person. Because of this, some people feel almost no discomfort at hemoglobin levels even below 80 g / l ( the norm is 120 - 140 g / l for women and 130 - 160 g / l for men). At the same time, the state of others is seriously affected by the decrease in this indicator already to 100-110 g/l.

In addition to the above symptoms, some patients may have other complaints. Most often, these are manifestations of the underlying disease, which caused anemia. These symptoms are not a direct consequence of low hemoglobin, but are often observed in patients with this problem. Such symptoms can be different, depending on the underlying disease itself. For example, with B12 deficiency anemia, local loss of skin sensitivity is sometimes observed, with hemolytic anemia, the skin may acquire a yellowish tint, and with iron deficiency, patients sometimes suffer from bedwetting. Such symptoms are more valuable in terms of diagnosis. The fact is that the symptoms common to all anemias have low specificity. The same dizziness, weakness or pallor of the skin are very often found in other diseases that have nothing to do with the work of the hematopoietic system and the level of hemoglobin.

Possible Causes of Low Hemoglobin

A decrease in hemoglobin, as mentioned above, can have many different causes. When the first symptoms of anemia appear, you should consult a doctor to determine its cause. Without this, it is impossible to develop an adequate tactic for treating the patient. The fact is that each cause violates certain mechanisms in the human body.

In general, a decrease in the level of hemoglobin in the blood can occur as follows:

• Blood dilution. In this case, we are talking about a relative drop in the level of hemoglobins, which was already mentioned above. Direct production ( synthesis) hemoglobin in the red bone marrow is not affected by the disease.
• Direct blood loss. One of the most common causes of anemia is bleeding. They can be sharp massive) and chronic ( prolonged loss of blood in small amounts). Red blood cells containing hemoglobin are also lost in the blood. Its concentration in the blood decreases.
• Impaired heme formation. Heme is part of the hemoglobin molecule, which consists of porphyrins and ferrous ion. It is this part that is responsible for the accession and transport of oxygen in the body. Heme ceases to be synthesized with insufficient intake of iron.
• Violation of the synthesis of porphyrins. In this case, heme formation is disrupted due to the absence of porphyrins. The level of iron intake may be normal.
• Disruption of globin synthesis. In addition to heme, the hemoglobin molecule contains a protein part, which is represented by polypeptide chains. Violations of its synthesis are usually associated with genetic pathologies or with a pronounced lack of proteins in the body.
• Violation of DNA synthesis. For the synthesis of DNA molecules in the production of red blood cells, a prerequisite is the presence of a number of substances. The most important of these are vitamin B12 and folic acid. Their insufficient intake or insufficient absorption from food also leads to the development of anemia.
• RBC destruction. Under certain conditions or under the influence of certain substances, red blood cells can be destroyed directly in the vascular bed. This process is called hemolysis. With it, the number of red blood cells in the blood falls, and hemoglobin is released into the blood. Since it can only perform its blood-carrying functions inside red blood cells, the patient develops symptoms and signs of anemia.
• Dysregulation of hematopoiesis ( hematopoiesis) . There are a number of substances in the body that stimulate blood formation. With a lack of these substances, the synthesis of hemoglobin and red blood cells slows down, which leads to the development of anemia. An example of such a substance is erythropoietin. This hormone is produced in the kidneys and directly stimulates the formation and maturation of red blood cells in the red bone marrow. In people with various kidney diseases, erythropoietin may not be produced, which will cause problems with the level of red blood cells and hemoglobin.

All of these mechanisms can occur in a wide variety of diseases. If you do not determine what exactly the problem is, it will be impossible to select the appropriate treatment, and all measures to raise hemoglobin will be only temporary.

A low hemoglobin level can occur with the following diseases and pathological conditions:

• deficiency of certain substances in the diet;
• chronic infectious diseases;
• bone marrow tumors;
• acute poisoning;
• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract ( gastrointestinal tract );

Deficiency of certain substances in the body

Nutritional problems are perhaps the most common cause of low hemoglobin. As noted above, for the normal synthesis of this protein and erythrocytes in the bone marrow, a sufficient amount of "primary material" is necessary. If for some reason it is not enough, then hemoglobin is not synthesized in sufficient quantities.

As a rule, if the cause of anemia lies in malnutrition, then the hemoglobin level is not greatly reduced ( not less than 70 g / l, and more often - more than 90 g / l). However, the deficiency of certain substances creates a chronic problem. Because of this, hemoglobin falls gradually, the body gets used to it and manages to start all compensatory mechanisms. Thus, patients may not have any symptoms or complaints for a long time.

The most common nutritional problems are:

• lack of iron;
• lack of vitamin B12;
• lack of folic acid;
• lack of proteins.

Normally, all these substances enter the body with food. However, sometimes there are situations when the body begins to absorb them poorly, or there is an increased need ( e.g. during pregnancy). If the consumption of these substances is not increased at the right time, anemia can develop.

In advanced cases, it is not enough just to change the diet by increasing the intake of a certain substance. Reserves in the body are restored slowly. Therefore, in addition to a special diet, the patient is often prescribed a course of treatment with appropriate drugs.

chronic infectious diseases

Some infectious diseases can also affect the level of hemoglobin in the blood. Most often, this manifestation occurs in children. In these cases, anemia is mild and may not present with any specific symptoms. The main condition for increasing hemoglobin in these cases is the elimination of acute infectious processes and chronic foci. After that, under normal power supply ( even without a special diet) blood tests gradually return to normal.

Reduced hemoglobin can occur with the following infectious diseases:

• severe angina;

In adults, after a streptococcal infection, low hemoglobin may be due to rheumatism. More serious anemias sometimes develop against the background of severe infectious processes that greatly disrupt the functioning of the body as a whole. These include sepsis, cellulitis and other purulent diseases.

Bleeding

All bleeding can be divided into two main types. In the first case, we are talking about the rapid loss of a large volume of blood, which is typical for serious injuries with damage to large vessels. Then it is not so much about lowering the level of hemoglobin in the blood, but about massive blood loss in general, which creates an immediate threat to the patient's life. After surgery or stopping bleeding in other ways, hemoglobin may remain low for a long time.

The second variant of bleeding is more common. We are talking about short recurring episodes of blood loss over a long period of time. In this case, the volume of fluid usually manages to be compensated normally by the body, but the formation of hemoglobin and red blood cells takes a little longer. Because of this, anemia occurs and when appropriate tests are performed, the hemoglobin level will be lowered.

Causes of frequent recurrent bleeding can be:

• heavy menstruation in girls against the background of gynecological diseases;
• single or multiple polyps ( uterus, cervix, intestines and other hollow organs);
• bleeding disorders ( hemophilia, etc.);
• chronic inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• prolonged postoperative bleeding;
• malignant neoplasms.

Bone marrow tumors

As you know, the process of formation of hemoglobin and red blood cells occurs in the cells of the red bone marrow. It contains entire generations of blood cells, which eventually differentiate, mature and enter the peripheral blood. In some cases, the tumor process directly affects the bone marrow. Then the synthesis of hemoglobin and erythrocytes is disturbed, and they do not enter the blood in normal quantities. Also, the process of maturation of cells in the bone marrow is sometimes affected by serious poisoning or exposure to a large dose of radiation.

Anemia that occurs against the background of bone marrow damage is characterized by a relatively rapid drop in hemoglobin levels and the patient's severe condition. It is very difficult to raise hemoglobin in these cases. Sometimes the only effective method Treatments include repeated blood transfusions or even bone marrow transplants. In general, the prognosis depends directly on the type and extent of damage to cellular structures.

Acute poisoning

Acute food poisoning or poisoning with complex chemical compounds often leads to a decrease in the level of hemoglobin in the blood. This is due to the so-called hemolytic action of some toxins. When they enter the human body, they lead to the rapid destruction of red blood cells. This results in anemia. Toxins that cause hemolysis can be of almost any origin ( industrial, domestic, microbial, animal or plant).

The most common poisons that destroy red blood cells are:

• aniline dyes;
• hydrogen sulfide and its compounds;
• arsenic;
• lead;
• some snake venoms cobra);
• benzene.

Immediately after the poison enters the blood, there is a critical period when the largest number erythrocytes are simultaneously destroyed. There is a sharp drop in the level of red blood cells and hemoglobin, which endangers the life of the patient. After that, there is a gradual rise in these indicators. The bone marrow begins to work in an enhanced mode and produces more cells. During this period, in order to speed up recovery, iron, folic acid, etc. are sometimes also prescribed.

kidney disease

As mentioned above, the important hormone erythropoietin is produced in the kidneys, which stimulates the synthesis of hemoglobin and red blood cells in the bone marrow. With a lack of this hormone in the blood, patients gradually develop anemia, and hemoglobin drops to very low levels without specific treatment ( below 70 g/l). The root cause of such anemia is various kidney damage. In this case, anemia develops in parallel with them.

Low hemoglobin can be observed in the following diseases:

• acute and chronic glomerulonephritis;
• autoimmune lesions of the kidney tissue;
• kidney damage as part of systemic infections.

The treatment of these diseases in this case is the main way to raise hemoglobin. In parallel, a special diet is also prescribed with a high content of the components necessary for the normal formation of red blood cells.

Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract

Some diseases of the gastrointestinal tract are characterized by a serious violation of the absorption of nutrients. Because of this, the same iron, folic acid or vitamin B12 enters the body in the required quantities, but is not absorbed from the intestines into the blood. In this case, even with a strict diet, the hemoglobin level will remain low.

The following diseases can reduce the level of hemoglobin in the blood by malabsorption in the intestine:

• chronic colitis;
• chronic gastritis ( in the acute stage);
• a number of diseases of the liver and pancreas;
• cirrhosis of the liver;
• neoplasms of the small intestine.

Autoimmune hemolytic anemias

With this type of anemia, a reduced level of red blood cells and hemoglobin is due to increased hemolysis. It occurs because antibodies produced by the immune system begin to attack their own red blood cells, causing them to be destroyed. Depending on the specific type of antibody, not only mature red blood cells in the peripheral blood, but also cells and enzymes in the bone marrow can be attacked. Then the very process of hemoglobin formation is disrupted.

Typically, such anemia is characterized by a strong decrease in the level of red blood cells and hemoglobin. Without suppression immune system there is no way to conduct adequate treatment, since more and more portions of antibodies are thrown into the blood. To fully restore the level of hemoglobin, complex therapy with the use of various pharmacological preparations is required.

Thus, low hemoglobin can be caused by a wide range of various diseases and disorders in the body. In this case, effective treatment is possible only after establishing the root cause of the disease. Just a blood transfusion or a diet high in iron and other trace elements rarely provide long-term stabilization of the situation.

How to raise hemoglobin if the cause of low hemoglobin is a lack of iron?

In most cases, iron deficiency in the body does not require urgent hospitalization of the patient. However, it is he who has been considered in recent years the most common cause of low hemoglobin. Loss of iron from the body occurs mainly due to frequent blood loss. It is rather difficult to compensate for a reduced level of iron due to the characteristics of the gastrointestinal tract. Through the intestinal mucosa mostly at the level duodenum only a small amount of dietary iron is absorbed. However, it is very important for patients with this type of anemia to follow a special diet. Its meaning lies in the use of foods rich in iron. In mild cases ( with a moderate decrease in hemoglobin) this may eventually completely solve the problem.

Product Category	The product's name	Iron content in 100 g of product ( mg)
Meat and meat by-products	beef liver	5,6 – 6,1
	Pork liver	11,8 – 12,2
	chicken liver	8,0 – 8,9
	Beef	3,1 – 3,5
	Pork	1,4 – 1,7
	rabbit meat	4,1 – 4,8
	Mutton	2,2 – 2,5
	Hen	1,2 – 1,8
	Turkey	1,7 – 1,9
Fish and other seafood	Mollusks cephalopods (squids, etc.)	8,5 – 9,5
	bivalve molluscs (mussels)	6,5 – 6,9
	Crustaceans (shrimp, crabs)	1,6 – 1,9
	Canned sardines	2,4 – 3,0
	Canned tuna	1,2 – 1,6
Eggs	Chicken	2,3 – 2,7
	Quail	3,4 – 3,7
Legumes	Green pea	6,5 – 6,9
	Beans (green/white/red)	5,8/3,8/3,0
	Soya	4,9 – 5,3
	beans	2,7 – 3,1
Greenery (dark green leafy vegetables)	Parsley	5,4 – 5,9
	Spinach	3,3 – 3,9
	Turnip (greenery)	1,0 – 1,2
	Cabbage (cauliflower/brussels/chinese/broccoli)	1,5/1,4/1,2/1,1
plant seeds and nuts	Sesame	14,3 – 14,8
	Seeds (sunflower)	6,7 – 6,9
	Peanut	4,4 – 4,8
	Almond	4,1 – 4,4
	pistachios	4,7 – 4,9
	Walnut	3,4 – 3,7
Flour products and cereals (some types of bread are specially enriched with iron, this is indicated on the packaging)	Rye bread	3,7 – 4,2
	Wholemeal bread	2,3 – 2,7
	Wheat bran	10,4 – 11,0
	Buckwheat	7,7 – 8,0
	Corn	2,5 – 2,8
	oats	3,3 – 3,7
	Millet	2,6 – 2,9
Other herbal products	Persimmon	2,3 – 2,6
	Celery	1,1 – 1,4
	Watermelon	0,9 – 1,2
	Potato	0,7 – 1,5

When compiling a direct menu for a sick patient, the daily intake of this substance should be taken into account. In a healthy person ( without anemia) contains approximately 4 g of iron in the body. Every day he loses about 1 mg, and with adequate nutrition he receives 2-3 mg. The excess does not accumulate, but simply is not absorbed in the intestines. When calculating the dose that comes with food, it must be taken into account that only 5-10% of the amount received will be absorbed. In people with anemia ( including pregnant women) this percentage rises to 20 - 30 due to the fact that special auxiliary mechanisms are involved.

With low hemoglobin levels ( 100 or less) drug treatment is prescribed without fail, regardless of whether the patient complies with the necessary diet. Iron preparations are used to restore hemoglobin levels ( salts, oxides and other chemical compounds rich in this element). In these medicines, iron is presented in the most well-absorbed form. If from food ( even at the highest concentration of iron in it) is absorbed no more than 2.5 mg / day, then when taking special iron preparations, it is absorbed 10-15 times more. The course of treatment lasts, as a rule, at least several weeks. The main criterion for evaluating the effectiveness are the normal results of laboratory tests.

Preparations for drug treatment iron deficiency anemia

Name of the drug	Method of use	Dose
Sorbifer	The tablet is swallowed whole with a sufficient amount of liquid. Optimally - half a glass of boiled water.	Adults 1 - 2 tablets per day. If necessary - up to 3 - 4 tablets ( in 2 doses).
Aktiferrin	Available in the form of capsules and drops for oral administration. Capsules are taken 30 minutes before meals without chewing. You can drink water or fruit juice.	Drops - 5 drops per 1 kg of body weight. A more precise dosage is prescribed by the attending physician. Capsules - 1 capsule 1 - 2 times a day ( adults weighing more than 50 kg).
Hemohelper	Classified as dietary supplement ( dietary supplement). The course of admission is 60 days.	The dose is determined by age. Children under 3 years old the drug is not prescribed. At the age of 3 - 7 years the dose is 1 - 2 capsules per day, at 7 - 4 years old - 1 - 6 capsules, after 14 years - up to 9 capsules.
Ferlatum	Produced in bottles of 15 ml. It is taken before meals.	Adults 1 - 2 bottles in 2 divided doses ( 15 - 30 ml solution). children - depending on body weight, 1.5 ml per 1 kg of body weight.
Maltofer	It is used intramuscularly in the form of injections. Before starting a course of treatment, a drug tolerance test is mandatory ( a quarter and then a half dose is administered). After the injection, you should move for a while ( walk around the room).	Adults 1 ampoule per day ( 2 ml solution). children calculated by body weight. The dose may vary widely depending on the iron deficiency. It is calculated by the attending physician maximum for adults - 2 ampoules per day).

When taking iron preparations, the possibility of an overdose of drugs should be considered. Therefore, the patient must strictly follow the instructions of the attending physician to achieve the desired effect. These medicines must be kept out of the reach of children. Also, treatment with iron preparations has two important features. Firstly, coffee and tea slow down their absorption in the intestines, and vitamin C ( in juices) speeds up. Secondly, after the assimilation of iron, intestinal cells will be immune to a new portion for another 6-7 hours, so you should not drink drugs more than 2 times a day.

How to raise hemoglobin if the cause of low hemoglobin is a lack of vitamin B12?

Nowadays, in medical practice, anemia due to B12 deficiency in food is quite rare. The fact is that the reserves of this substance in the body are large and their depletion is possible only with prolonged malnutrition ( at least 6 months). Most often, such anemia develops due to a deficiency of the so-called intrinsic factor or Castle factor. This is an enzyme produced by the cells of the stomach and is responsible for a kind of "activation" of vitamin B12, which came with food. The release of this factor may be impaired after surgery on the stomach or in some diseases of this organ. Slightly less common are situations when the body itself produces antibodies that interfere with the production of the Castle factor.

Thus, it is not easy to raise hemoglobin with a lack of vitamin B12. To do this, it is necessary to conduct a series of tests and find out what the body really lacks - the vitamin itself in food or the Castle factor. In the first case, it is recommended to follow a diet with the use of foods containing vitamin B12. Often this can eliminate the problem without taking medication. More serious treatment is prescribed in case of severe anemia, when the patient has obvious symptoms of low hemoglobin.

Product Category	The product's name	The content of vitamin B12 in 100 g of product ( mcg)
Meat and meat by-products	beef liver	45 - 65
	chicken liver	14,5 – 17,5
	Pork liver	20 - 40
	rabbit meat	3,8 – 5,2
	Beef	2,2 – 2,8
	Pork	1,2 – 3,3
	Mutton	1,7 – 2,4
Fish and other seafood	Mollusks cephalopods	17 - 23
	Carp	1,5 – 2,0
	Crab	0,8 – 1,4
	Cod	1,4 – 1,8
	Sardine	10,5 – 11,4
	Mackerel	11,4 – 13,1
	Perch (river)	2,0 – 3,0
Other products	Hard cheeses	1,1 – 2,0
	Sour cream	0,3 – 0,5
	Chicken eggs	0,4 – 0,7

Thus, vitamin B12 is found predominantly in animal products. This explains the fact that almost 90% of cases of alimentary ( food) deficiency of this substance occurs in vegetarians and vegans. They should especially pay attention to the use of vitamin B12. You can even periodically undergo preventive courses of drug treatment ( about once a year) to replenish the reserves of this substance in the body.

With moderate anemia, as mentioned above, treatment at home is possible. Then you should adhere to the daily intake of vitamin B12 and adapt the diet to the needs of the body. In childhood, this is 0.4 - 1.2 μg of vitamin per day ( for children up to 8 years old). For adults, the norm is 2.4 micrograms per day, and for pregnant and lactating women, it increases to 2.6 - 2.8 micrograms.

Drug treatment is prescribed in cases where the patient suffers from a serious decrease in hemoglobin levels, and the diet cannot help restore it quickly. The drug of choice is cyanocobalamin. It is administered as an injection ( in injections) subcutaneously or intramuscularly. During the first week, high doses are prescribed - 200 - 400 mcg / day. Then the dose is gradually reduced to one injection per week ( 400 mg) and continue such treatment until the normalization of laboratory parameters ( restoration of hemoglobin levels). Allergic reactions can be treated with drugs that suppress the immune system ( prednisolone), or switching to an analogue of cyanocobalamin - hydroxycobalamin. The latter has a weaker therapeutic effect, so the dose is calculated individually by the attending physician. Patients with disorders of the formation of internal factor of Castle are shown periodic courses of injections of vitamin B12 throughout their lives. In this case, it enters the body bypassing the stomach, and its activation is not required.

It is believed that the norm for the use of folic acid is 50 - 200 mcg / day. In this case, the minimum dose is indicated for infants at 1 year of age, and the maximum for an adult. This volume of folic acid is consumed by various body tissues. A significant part goes to the synthesis of red blood cells and the normal production of hemoglobin. In some situations, folic acid begins to be consumed faster, which increases the risk of anemia. The risk group includes patients with various neoplasms, some inflammatory diseases, children in a period of rapid growth, as well as pregnant and lactating women. In these cases, the intake of folic acid increases by 50-100 micrograms.

With a slight decrease in hemoglobin in the blood against the background of a lack of folic acid, it is recommended to pay attention to the diet. This substance is found in products of both plant and animal origin, so it will not be difficult to follow a diet.

Product Category	The product's name	The content of folic acid in 100 g of product ( mcg)
Vegetables and garden greens	Legumes (beans, beans, etc.)	155 - 162
	Young shoots of asparagus	260 - 270
	Spinach	78 - 83
	Tomatoes	43 - 50
	lettuce	37 - 45
	Cabbage (ordinary)	18 - 27
	Onion ( onion)	9 - 12
Fruits and berries	Mandarin	270 - 275
	Avocado	81 - 90
	Orange	42 - 44
	Watermelon	37 - 39
	Lemon	2 - 7
Bread and cereals	Buckwheat	47 - 51
	Wheat	32 - 39
	rye	33 - 35
	Bread (wholemeal flour)	28 - 31
	oatmeal	24 - 29
	Barley	21 - 30
	Rice	17 - 22
nuts	Peanut	230 - 250
	Almond	37 - 44
	walnut	72 - 85
Meat and meat by-products	beef liver	235 - 247
	Pork liver	215 - 228
	chicken liver	250 - 255
	Cod liver (canned)	105 - 120
Eggs	Chicken	5 - 8
	Quail	7 - 11

With a more serious decrease in hemoglobin, or in cases where the prescribed diet does not help, they resort to drug treatment. Folic acid is given as a tablet, powder, or injection. The method of application depends on the causes of the disease. When it comes to prophylactic use during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or folic acid deficiency in the diet, oral administration of 1-5 mg per day is preferred ( depending on the severity of the disease). In intestinal malabsorption ( Crohn's disease, bowel surgery, etc.) preferably the introduction of folic acid in injections, bypassing the gastrointestinal tract.

For a prophylactic course, doses should be reduced to 0.1 - 0.4 mg / day. The maximum prophylactic dose is recommended during pregnancy. In general, the calculation of the dose and the duration of the course of treatment is determined by the attending physician after making a diagnosis and conducting all the necessary tests. The problem is that the dose is too high. more than what the body needs in a particular situation) inhibits the absorption of folic acid from the intestine. Then there is "satiation" and further treatment will not have the desired effect.

How to raise hemoglobin if the cause of low hemoglobin is protein deficiency?

Protein deficiency is not directly related to the hematopoietic organs. All proteins that the body receives with food are made up of various amino acids. It is these amino acids that are a kind of "building blocks", from which the body then begins to create its own proteins. If the patient's food is poor in proteins, the processes of formation of new substances and tissues in general are disrupted. One of the possible manifestations of protein deficiency is anemia. The fact is that hemoglobin also contains a protein part, consisting of amino acids. If they are not enough in the body, then the synthesis of hemoglobin is disturbed.

Patients with anemia due to protein deficiency are usually in serious condition. Even if hemoglobin is not so low, symptoms from other organs and systems are possible ( not only hematopoietic). Therefore, patients are recommended to be hospitalized for the speedy recovery of protein levels. All patients, regardless of severity, must adhere to a special diet.

The diet is focused on foods rich in protein. It should be borne in mind that different products contain different proteins. For example, the chemical composition of fish is different from that of meat proteins. Therefore, food should be varied ( do not eat only 1 - 2 foods that have the highest protein content). Then the body will receive all the necessary set of amino acids, and the hemoglobin level will recover faster. Protein intake rates may vary. For an adult, on average, 75 - 85 g of protein per day is needed. Larger amounts may be needed during pregnancy or certain chronic conditions. It is impossible to accurately establish the norms in this case, since the body itself assimilates the required amount of amino acids, depending on various conditions and factors.

Product Category	The product's name	Protein content in 100 g of product ( G)
Meat and meat by-products	Mutton	23 - 25
	Pork	19 - 22
	Beef	22 - 24
	Chicken	25 - 27
	Offal chicken (liver, heart, etc.)	17 - 21
	Liver (beef/pork/lamb)	18/17/19
Eggs	Chicken	11 - 13
	Quail	25 - 28
	duck	14 - 17
Fish and other seafood	Beluga	22 - 27
	Carp	19,5 - 21
	Pink salmon	20,5 – 22,2
	Sardine (canned)	22,5 - 26
	Sturgeon	16 - 17
	Salmon	15 – 16,5
	Squid	17 - 19
	Crabs ( meat)	18 - 20
	Perch	17 - 21
	Sturgeon caviar	28 - 30
Milk products	Milk	3 – 3,5
	Kefir	2,8 – 3,1
	Sour cream	1,3 – 1,7
	Cheese (solid)	27 - 33
	Cheese (fused)	17,5 – 22,2
	Cottage cheese	13 - 17
Legumes	Soya	12 – 13,5
	Beans	22 - 24
	Peas	5,2 – 5,5
Bread and cereals	Rye bread	4,5 – 4,9
	wheat bread	7,7 – 8,0
	muffin (other pastries)	7,5 – 7,7
	Buckwheat	12 – 13,2
	Oat groats	10,5 – 11,5
	Rice	6,6 – 7,4
nuts	Walnut	13,5 – 14,1
	Peanut	25 - 27
	Almond	18 - 19

With a low level of hemoglobin and symptoms from other organs and systems, urgent replenishment of blood proteins may be necessary. Then we will talk about drip intravenous administration of special solutions. This is done strictly in a hospital setting for special indications. In general, protein deficiency is rare as a cause of anemia.

An alternative to a protein diet can be the intake of dietary supplements containing amino acids. Their prophylactic course can contribute to the rapid synthesis of new proteins in the body ( including hemoglobin).

Other ways to increase hemoglobin

If the level of hemoglobin in the blood is severely low, doctors may resort to blood transfusions ( blood transfusions). Currently, this refers to emergency treatments, which are avoided due to possible serious complications. However, there is no faster way to restore hemoglobin levels than to inject donated blood or necessary blood substitutes directly into the patient's vein. In case of a sharp drop in hemoglobin against the background of acute blood loss ( heavy bleeding) speak of absolute indications for transfusion. This means that without this procedure, the patient may die in the near future, and we are talking about saving his life. Thus, any contraindications and risks can be considered relative, and they are neglected. If hemoglobin fell gradually, and the body partly compensates for its lack on its own, a situation arises when transfusion is only one of the treatment options. Here you should pay attention to contraindications.

Contraindications for blood transfusion may include:

• clotting disorders ( hemocoagulation);

The fact is that for the patient's body, donor blood is perceived, first of all, as a foreign tissue. Because of this, the risk of various adverse reactions is high, even if the blood type and Rh factor are the same. The problem is that the cells that are introduced into the body have other proteins as well. This can lead to shock. In addition, long-term storage of donated blood leads to the adhesion of its components. The resulting conglomerates can "get stuck" in the thin capillaries of the pulmonary circulation and cause the so-called "shock lung". There is also a high risk of blood clots. Contrary to popular belief, when used for blood transfusion from special banks, the risk of contracting various infections is negligible. All accepted blood must be checked for AIDS, syphilis, viral hepatitis and a number of other diseases.

There are also a number of criteria by which a doctor can navigate in order to understand whether a patient needs a blood transfusion. A drop in the hemoglobin level below 70 g/l, accompanied by a general loss of blood ( the volume of circulating blood is reduced by more than 30%). Another indicator is a hematocrit of less than 25%. In rare cases, the indication is the absence of other methods of treatment. For example, in some chronic diseases, blood transfusions are carried out regularly, despite the existing risk.

How to increase hemoglobin folk remedies?

With a slight decrease in hemoglobin levels ( not less than 100 g/l) and the absence of severe symptoms of anemia, the disease can be combated with folk remedies. Since this disease is very common in medical practice, traditional medicine has accumulated considerable experience in its treatment. Most of these funds are aimed at the intake of substances necessary for the synthesis of hemoglobin and erythrocytes ( red blood cells containing hemoglobin) in the red bone marrow.

Traditional medicine mainly uses special dietary products, as well as infusions and decoctions rich in vitamin B12, folic acid and iron. Plants that contain a wide range of other micronutrients are also used ( zinc, magnesium, vitamins of other groups). All this creates favorable conditions for the production of hemoglobin.

The most common folk remedies that can help increase hemoglobin are:

• Carrots with sour cream. Daily consumption of carrots in the morning with sour cream or vegetable oil stimulates the production of hemoglobin and red blood cells in the red bone marrow. It is recommended to eat 100 - 150 g of carrots ( can be grated) at a time.
• potato juice. Raw potato juice also stimulates blood formation in the body. It is squeezed out and filtered through clean gauze or a bandage folded several times. After that, the juice is drunk half a cup before meals 2-3 times a day. For a tangible result, the course of treatment should be at least 2 to 3 weeks.
• Nettle decoction. For cooking, the tops of the young shoots of the plant are taken. For 1 liter of water, you need a glass of nettles. They are thrown into boiling water and boiled for 3-5 minutes. After that, the greens are filtered, and the broth is cooled and drunk 1-2 cups a day.
• Infusion of walnuts. Young walnuts crush ( can be in a blender or meat grinder) and topped with vodka. For 1 glass of nuts, there is approximately 0.5 liters of vodka. They are insisted in a dark place for a week, stirring occasionally. After that, the infusion is filtered and stored in the refrigerator. The infusion is consumed 1 tablespoon once a day. If desired, you can seize with honey.
• Rowan tincture. Freshly picked ripe fruits of mountain ash are poured with boiling water and infused for 1 - 2 hours. For 1 cup of boiling water, you need 2 teaspoons of fruit. Sugar can be added to the tincture to taste. It is taken 2 - 3 times a day for half a cup.
• Infusion of meadow clover. Flower heads are separated from freshly picked meadow clover and poured with boiling water. For 10 flower heads, 200 ml of water is needed. Infusion lasts at least 45 minutes. After that, the infusion is filtered and consumed 2 tablespoons 3-4 times a day.
• Yarrow infusion. For 60 g of dry grass ( collection can be purchased at the pharmacy) you need 200 - 250 ml of boiling water. The mixture is infused for 60 - 90 minutes and consumed 1 teaspoon 2 - 3 times a day.

In parallel with these traditional medicine recipes, attention is paid to the diet. It must necessarily include meat, fresh fruits and vegetables. It is also recommended to eat beef or chicken liver more often ( preferably boiled, not fried), as it contains a large amount of substances necessary for hematopoiesis. Freshly squeezed juices are recommended for drinks. Greatest Benefit with low hemoglobin, they have pomegranate, beetroot and carrot juice.

All of the above remedies have limited potential for the treatment of anemia. The fact is that they restore only the intake of all the substances necessary for the synthesis of hemoglobin. However, the intestinal mucosa itself can absorb only a certain amount of iron, vitamin B12 and folic acid. Therefore, the course of treatment with these drugs can be long ( weeks, months), and increasing the above dose will not bring a more pronounced effect. Moreover, when the dose is exceeded and some drugs are consumed in large quantities, some side effects may appear. The most common are diarrhea, constipation, flatulence, exacerbation of gastritis or stomach ulcers.

In a number of patients, the level of hemoglobin during the course of treatment may not only not increase, but even fall even more. This indicates problems with the absorption of nutrients in the intestines or diseases of the bone marrow. Then anemia is not associated with a deficiency in the diet of iron or other substances. To increase hemoglobin, such patients should undergo an additional course of examination, during which the true cause of the disease will be established. Treatment with traditional medicine will not have the desired effect.

Symptoms such as dizziness, pallor, chronic fatigue, and sleep disturbances should be a signal to see a doctor. Patients with a hemoglobin level of less than 100 g/l should immediately begin treatment. medicines due to the risk of various complications. The use of traditional medicine is possible as an adjuvant therapy, but then it must be agreed with the attending physician.

How to increase hemoglobin during pregnancy?

A decrease in hemoglobin is one of the most common problems during pregnancy. First of all, this is due to the fact that the growing fetus consumes a significant part of the nutrients. They come from the mother's body and go to create new tissues. However, the mother's body itself may experience a lack of certain substances. Most often, this is reflected precisely in the hematopoietic system. A rarer cause is recurrent blood loss or associated pregnancy complications. Then anemia can be caused in part by a direct loss of red blood cells and hemoglobin.

Based on this, the best way to increase hemoglobin during pregnancy is to increase the intake of substances necessary for hematopoiesis. Even with a normal level of hemoglobin during pregnancy and feeding, expectant mothers are prescribed prophylactic intake of folic acid, vitamin B12, and iron. If we are talking about pathology, and the woman already has signs of anemia, it is urgent to be examined by a specialist. The fact is that a progressive drop in hemoglobin is dangerous, first of all, for a growing fetus.

The Body's Requirements for Essential Nutrients During Pregnancy

Nutrients	Daily intake
total calorie intake	2200 - 2500 kcal ( on average 300 kcal more than before pregnancy)
Protein	1.2 - 2 g of protein per 1 kg of mother's weight
Fats	80 - 100 g, of which 30 - 35% vegetable origin
Carbohydrates	350 - 450 g
Iron	30 - 33 mg
Vitamin B12	2.6 mcg
Folic acid (vitamin B9)	300 mcg

Of course, the above data are more of a guide value. Here are the consumption rates for a healthy woman, without complications during pregnancy and with a normal level of hemoglobin. In each case, the consumption rates of certain substances can vary within a fairly wide range. For example, in the case of carrying twins, the needs of the body increase even more. There are also some differences at different stages of pregnancy.

For preventive purposes, for increased intake of iron and other nutrients in the body, you can use the following foods:

• red meat;
• freshly squeezed fruit juices carrots, pomegranate, etc.);
• spinach;
• seafood;
• liver ( beef, chicken, pork);
• nuts;
• wholemeal bread;
• porridge.

All these foods are rich in iron, folic acid and vitamin B12, which are most important for the normal production of hemoglobin and red blood cells in the red bone marrow. True, one should also observe how the body tolerates unusual food. If seafood exacerbates allergies, and bran bread causes flatulence, it is advisable to reconsider the diet. Gradually, the patient herself understands which foods are best absorbed by the body. If there are certain difficulties with compiling a daily menu, you can always seek help from a dietitian.

If a woman has a decrease in hemoglobin during pregnancy, a drug course of treatment is usually prescribed. One diet in this case will not correct the situation, because the ability of the intestinal mucosa to absorb, for example, iron from food is limited. Fortunately, today there is wide selection drugs approved for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

For the treatment of anemia of varying severity in pregnant women, the following drugs can be used:

• With B12 deficiency anemia during pregnancy, treatment with cyanocobalamin ( standard for this disease) can be carried out only with the permission of the attending physician and in small doses. This drug may be contraindicated during pregnancy.
• With folic acid deficiency treatment begins with doses of this substance at 0.1 - 0.8 mg / day and increase as needed. Even with a normal hemoglobin level, it is recommended to start maintenance treatment at a dose of 0.1 mg / day and continue it during breastfeeding at 60 mcg / day.

The most common problem in pregnant women in medical practice is iron deficiency. In this regard, there are many preparations containing this microelement in the form of various compounds and approved for use during pregnancy. For orientation in prophylactic use, the packages usually indicate, in addition to the recommended dose, the amount in terms of pure ferrous iron. In the case of a decrease in hemoglobin ( up to 90 g/l and below) you should definitely consult a doctor. He will not only determine the required dose of the drug, but also indicate the preferred form of its use ( in the form of capsules, tablets, injections).

The most common iron preparations in medical practice are:

• tardiferon;
• maltofer;
• sorbifer;
• ferroplex;
• ferrum-lek.

Combined iron preparations containing small doses of vitamin B12 and B9 are also useful. Many preparations also provide vitamin C, succinic acid and fructose. These substances increase the absorption of iron in the small intestine. Thus, the body receives a larger dose than with the usual consumption of iron-rich foods. Self-administration of these drugs is not recommended due to possible side effects and complications of pregnancy.

Also, the cause of low hemoglobin can be chronic diseases exacerbated by pregnancy. In these cases, the intake of large amounts of nutrients through food or in the form of special preparations may not be effective. Directed medical treatment will be required to correct the problem. That is why it is strongly recommended when the hemoglobin level drops below 120 g / l ( lower limit of normal for women) undergo a preventive consultation with a doctor to make an accurate diagnosis.

How to increase hemoglobin in oncology?

In oncological diseases, there are several reasons for a decrease in hemoglobin. The tactics of treating anemia depends on which mechanism is involved in a particular case. Therefore, before starting treatment, it is necessary to be sure of the diagnosis and have the results of the main examinations.

In oncological diseases, the following mechanisms for lowering hemoglobin are possible:

• Blood loss. In malignant neoplasms, the so-called endophytic tumor growth takes place. This means that dividing cells not only increase in number, but are also capable of destroying nearby tissues. In the later stages, such a tumor can damage the wall of the blood vessel, which often leads to massive bleeding. Red blood cells and the hemoglobin they contain also leave the body with blood. After bleeding stops, patients experience anemia of varying severity. If the hemoglobin level has decreased precisely after bleeding, then attention should be paid to the sufficient intake of all the substances necessary to make up for losses with food. With a severe drop in hemoglobin levels ( below 70 g/l) the patient should be urgently hospitalized. You may need not only an additional course of drug treatment, but also an emergency blood transfusion. The problem is that the malignant growth of the tumor leads to repeated bleeding. Because of this, it is very difficult to fight anemia. Radiation therapy or chemotherapy can slow down the growth of the neoplasm. However, these methods alone cannot be applied in the case of very low hemoglobin.
• Increased need for nutrients. The essence of any oncological disease is that in the human body there is an increased division of certain cells. Such intensive growth requires an appropriate supply of nutrients. Because of this, the body is gradually depleted of folic acid, vitamin B12, iron and other trace elements necessary for the synthesis of hemoglobin. It is noteworthy that this mechanism for the development of anemia is typical not only for malignant neoplasms, but also for benign ones, if they grow rapidly. Most often, to increase hemoglobin in this case, you should follow a diet that will replenish depleted reserves. If possible, the tumor is also removed or its growth is slowed down. Hemoglobin levels usually recover within a few weeks.
• Oncological diseases of the bone marrow. Cancer can also develop in the bone marrow. This disrupts the normal division of progenitor cells. These are entire generations of immature cells that have not yet turned into red blood cells or other blood cells. The problem in this case is that the very process of hemoglobin and red blood cell synthesis is disrupted. Patients often have very severe anemia that cannot be corrected by any diet or medication. The body simply cannot turn the substances that have entered into it into the final product - hemoglobin. Effective treatment is radiotherapy or chemotherapy. However, the ultimate success depends on the type of disease and its stage.
• Oncological diseases of the kidneys. In kidney tumors, another mechanism for the development of anemia may be involved. It is associated with insufficient production of erythropoietin. This hormone is produced by the kidneys and stimulates the division of red blood cells and the formation of hemoglobin. In patients with kidney tumors, anemia usually develops gradually. To eliminate it, the use of synthetic analogues of erythropoietin is required. The most common of these are Epobiocrin, Eprex, Epostim. The choice of the drug and the determination of the required dose is made by the attending physician after a special analysis.
• Suppression of hematopoiesis ( blood cell formation) . Many cancer patients undergo aggressive treatments. As a rule, it is chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Both of these methods can seriously affect hematopoiesis ( process of blood cell formation). The division of progenitor cells is disrupted, and the level of the corresponding cells in the blood falls. The problem in this case is not the oncological disease itself, but the side effect of its treatment. Unfortunately, for many patients, such courses of treatment are the only chance to overcome the disease. Therefore, a diet with a high content of substances necessary for hematopoiesis is recommended. Iron, folic acid, vitamin B12 preparations are also prescribed. This allows to some extent to compensate for low hemoglobin and complete the main course of treatment. With irreversible damage to the bone marrow, which are determined by puncture, it is possible to transplant it. This method of treatment has many of its own indications and contraindications, so it is not used in all cases.

As mentioned above, the main method of increasing hemoglobin in oncological diseases is to follow an appropriate diet. By and large, its only difference from the usual diet is the increased consumption of foods containing iron, folic acid and vitamin B12. The specific limitations in this case are the same as in general with oncological diseases.

The most valuable products for raising hemoglobin levels are:

• red meat. Beef and other red meats contain a significant amount of substances necessary for the formation of red blood cells. 100 g of the product contains up to 4 mg of iron, 3 µg of vitamin B12, 24 g of protein.
• Liver. The liver belongs to meat offal, but its value is due to the fact that it accumulates a large amount of useful substances that are contained in ordinary meat in smaller quantities. For 100 g of boiled liver, there are approximately 5-15 mg of iron, 15-60 µg of vitamin B12, 200-250 µg of folic acid, 18-20 g of proteins.
• Fresh fruits and vegetables. From vegetables and fruits, freshly squeezed juices of carrots, beets, and pomegranates should be distinguished. They contain a large number of various trace elements. In addition, asparagus and other greens are very high in folic acid ( up to 250 mcg per 100 g of product). As a source of protein, legumes are the most useful ( beans, soybeans, peas).
• Seafood. Fish and other seafood are characterized by a variety of different micronutrients, including those that cannot be obtained from meat or plant foods. Marine fish proteins contain a unique set of amino acids that are also needed by the body.
• nuts. Nuts are an important source of a wide variety of substances. For anemia, peanuts can serve as a source of protein ( up to 25 g per 100 g of product). He is also the champion in the content of folic acid - up to 250 mcg per 100 g.

It should be noted that not all of these products can be used in oncological diseases. This is especially true for neoplasms in the digestive tract ( gastrointestinal tract). The body simply may not be able to cope with the intake of indigestible food, and this will worsen the patient's condition. Therefore, the final selection of the diet should be done in consultation with the attending physician, who will tell you exactly which foods will contribute to the rise in hemoglobin and will not harm the patient.

How to increase hemoglobin in diabetes?

Anemia in diabetes mellitus is an infrequent but very serious complication that greatly worsens the prognosis for the patient and requires urgent treatment. The fact is that against the background of diabetes, the kidneys are seriously affected. If the sugar level is kept at a high level for a long time, then the kidney tissue is gradually damaged and replaced by a connective tissue that does not perform any functions. At the same time, kidney health is very important for the normal functioning of the bone marrow. The kidneys produce a hormone called erythropoietin. It stimulates the growth, development and maturation of young red blood cells, and also increases the production of hemoglobin. Against the background of diabetic nephropathy ( medical name for a specific kidney lesion) production of erythropoietin falls. This is the reason for the poor functioning of the bone marrow and low hemoglobin.

In this case, such a common remedy as a diet rich in iron, folic acid and vitamin B12 does not have the desired effect. Treatment is based on two main postulates. First, you need to lower your blood sugar levels to normal levels. The patient must understand that every hour lived with increased level glucose leads to the death of still unaffected areas of the renal tissue. Thus, knocking down sugar by introducing insulin ( or its analogues, which are usually used by the patient), the progression of the disease can be prevented.

The second important component of treatment is a course of erythropoietin. Like most other hormones, it has been artificially synthesized and is now available in a variety of pharmaceutical forms.

Erythropoietin-based drugs

Name of the drug	Dosage and administration
Epoetin beta	Administered intravenously ( i/v) or subcutaneously ( PC). The standard scheme is 20 international units per kilogram of body weight ( IU/kg) 3 times a week or 10 IU/kg for 7 days. With intravenous administration - 40 IU / kg three times a week. If there is no effect, the dose can be doubled for 3-4 weeks of treatment. It is used in oncological and congenital diseases ( in newborns). Contraindicated in pregnancy and lactation.
Epostim	Introduced in / in or s / c. To correct the level of hemoglobin and return to normal, 30 IU / kg are prescribed three times a week s / c ( IV up to 50 IU/kg). The effectiveness of treatment is assessed by the level of hematocrit. If necessary, the dose is reduced or increased by one and a half times. After reaching a hemoglobin level of more than 120 - 130 g / l, maintenance treatment is prescribed ( if kidney damage is irreversible). After that, the dose is reduced by one and a half times, and if hemoglobin rises above 150 - 160 g / l, the drug is temporarily canceled.
Epomax	Introduced s / c or / in. The optimal dose is 20 - 50 IU / kg ( depending on the method of administration). In the absence of effect, the dose is increased to 60 - 75 IU / kg three times a week. The maximum weekly dose is 225 IU/kg. After the hemoglobin level returns to normal, the maintenance dose is calculated individually. On average, hemoglobin rises in 2 to 3 weeks.
Eprex	Introduced s / c or / in. Depending on the level of hemoglobin, the dose is calculated individually. A solution of the drug of the required concentration is selected. Preferably subcutaneous injection in a volume of not more than 1 ml in one place. When administered intravenously, the drug should not be mixed with other drugs.

If necessary, patients are given parallel preparations of iron, folic acid or vitamin B12. This is indicated by special analyses. In general, when the hemoglobin level drops below 120 g / l in patients with diabetes, hospitalization is indicated for continuous monitoring of blood sugar levels. If the sugar level rises frequently, and there are changes in the urine tests that indicate diabetic nephropathy, prophylactic treatment with erythropoietin in small doses can be started without waiting for a strong decrease in hemoglobin. In any case, self-medication is unacceptable, as this threatens a serious danger to the patient's life.

How to increase hemoglobin in children?

A decrease in hemoglobin levels in children is most often caused by malnutrition. This is due to the fact that a growing body requires more nutrients. Many substances necessary for the production of red blood cells and hemoglobin in the red bone marrow are also consumed during cell division. This explains the increased need of the child's body for many vitamins and trace elements. Most often, doctors recommend the simplest and most affordable method of treatment - dietary modification with a focus on foods rich in iron, folic acid, vitamin B12. In this case, the calculation of the needs of a growing organism is done depending on the age of the child.

The body's need for essential nutrients at different ages

Age group	Daily intake of iron ( mg)	Daily intake of vitamin B12 ( mcg)	Daily intake of folic acid mcg)
Up to six months	0,3 – 0,4	0,4 – 0,5	50
6 – 12 months	10 - 12	0,5 – 0,6	50
1 – 3 years	6 - 8	0,9 – 1,0	70
4 – 8 years	9 - 11	1,2 – 1,5	100 - 150
9 – 13 years old (boys)	8 - 9	1,8	150 - 200
9 – 13 years old (girls)	9 - 10	1,8	150 - 200
14 – 18 years old (young men)	10 - 12	2,4	200
14 – 18 years old (girls)	14 - 16	2,4	200

They try to comply with these norms not only when calculating the diet of children with anemia, but also for the nutrition of healthy children with a normal level of hemoglobin. In this case, they will be the main method of preventing anemia. The most valuable sources of the above substances are liver, red meat ( beef, rabbit), seafood. Folic acid is found in large quantities in nuts, leafy vegetables, bran, and cereals. Directly in the prevention of iron deficiency anemia, pomegranate fruits and juice from this plant can help ( preferably freshly squeezed).

With a decrease in the level of hemoglobin, you should definitely see a doctor to determine the cause of anemia and prescribe treatment. As a rule, a significant decrease in hemoglobin cannot be compensated by a diet rich in certain substances alone. It also requires additional use of special drugs that will make up for their deficiency in the body. To understand if a child has anemia, you need to know how hemoglobin levels change with age.

Age-related changes in the level of hemoglobin and erythrocytes

Age group	Limits of normal hemoglobin ( g/l)	Limits of the norm of erythrocytes ( 10 12 /l)
Up to 3 days	145 – 225	4,0 – 6,6
3 – 7 days	135 – 215	3,9 – 6,3
14 - 31 days	125 – 205	3,6 – 6,2
1 – 2 months	100 – 180	3,0 – 5,4
2 – 3 months	90 – 140	2,7 – 4,9
3 – 6 months	95 – 135	3,1 – 4,5
6 months - 2 years	100 – 145	3,4 – 5,2
3 – 12 years old	110 - 150	3,5 – 5,0
13 - 16 years old	115 - 155	3,5 – 5,5
17 - 19 years old	120 - 160	3,5 – 5,6

In the listed norms, it should be borne in mind that small individual deviations from the norm are possible. Also, starting from the age of 12-13, boys have a hemoglobin level ( both borders) is on average 10-15 g/l higher than in girls, and the level of erythrocytes is 0.5x10 12 /l. The table shows averaged data for all ages, without division by gender.

If the hemoglobin level is lower than the lower limit for the specified age, then treatment requires determining the cause of the disease. In case of deficiency of any substances in the diet, they are administered in the form of medicines. For each of the causes of anemia, their own groups of drugs are prescribed.

Treatment of the main causes of low hemoglobin

Type of anemia	Name of the drug	Recommended dose
folate deficiency anemia	Folic acid	From 0.1 mg / day for newborns, from 0.3 mg / day for children 1-4 years old, from 0.4 mg / day for children over 4 years old. The exact dosage depends on the level of hemoglobin, folic acid reserves in the body and the child's own weight.
B12 deficiency anemia	cyanocobalamin	30 - 100 mcg 2 - 3 times a week in the form of subcutaneous or intramuscular injections. In children of early childhood or with anemia in premature newborns - 30 mcg / day for 2 weeks.
Iron-deficiency anemia	Sorbifer Durules	Contraindicated in children under 12 years of age. Adolescents 12 - 18 years old - 1 - 2 tablets 2 times a day. The course of treatment is 2 - 4 months.
	Maltofer	It is prescribed intramuscularly for children older than 4 months, depending on body weight. Children up to 5 kg - 0.5 ml; 5 - 10 kg - 1 ml; 10 - 45 kg - 2 ml; more than 45 kg - up to 4 ml / day.
	Ferlatum	Produced in the form of vials with a solution for oral administration. Children: 1.5 ml/kg/day in 2 divided doses.
	Ferronal	Produced in the form of syrup. Children under one year - 1 teaspoon / day after meals. Children older than one year - 1 tablet 1 - 3 times a day.

In each case, a more accurate calculation of the required dose can be made by the attending physician after special studies. Currently, there are tests that can determine not only the level of certain substances in the blood, but also to assess their reserves or the degree of deficiency. This will help you choose the right dose more accurately.

It should be remembered that low hemoglobin levels are not always associated with malnutrition. Sometimes anemia is a consequence or complication of other diseases ( worm infestations, chronic infections, etc.). In newborns, they may be due to a congenital lack of enzymes. Since in this case the diagnosis is made for the first time in life, one cannot neglect such a symptom as a decrease in hemoglobin levels. It is necessary to consult a specialist as soon as possible and exclude more serious diseases, even if the symptoms of anemia itself have not yet appeared, and nothing bothers the child. This can prevent serious complications in future.

How to increase hemoglobin in a nursing mother?

Anemia is one of the common problems in breastfeeding mothers. This is due to the fact that after pregnancy, the body is often depleted of such substances as iron, folic acid and vitamin B12. They are essential for normal erythrocyte synthesis ( red blood cells) and hemoglobin. In addition, during childbirth, a woman loses a certain amount of blood. In case of any complications, bleeding may recur. This creates conditions for the development of anemia. Directly during the feeding period, part of the nutrients also goes to the formation of milk.

In this regard, all lactating women are advised to adhere to a special diet for preventive purposes. This also applies to those who do not suffer from low hemoglobin. You should focus on the increased needs of the body for nutrients. If hemoglobin, according to the results of the tests, is at a normal level, then prophylaxis can only be carried out with a special diet, without resorting to additional drugs or dietary supplements.

The body's need for various nutrients

Substance necessary for the prevention of anemia	Daily allowance for a woman	Daily allowance for a pregnant woman	Daily allowance during breastfeeding
Iron	18 mg	20 - 33 mg	20 - 25 mg
Vitamin B12	2.4 mcg	2.6 mcg	2.8 mcg
Folic acid	200 mcg	300 mcg	260 mcg

When calculating the diet, you need to focus on the fact that only 10-30% of the iron supplied with food is absorbed in the intestines. If a woman has chronic diseases of the digestive tract ( gastrointestinal tract), then this percentage decreases even more. Vitamin B12 and folic acid are absorbed similarly.

If a decrease in hemoglobin is found in a nursing woman, the doses should be increased even more. It is believed that their replenishment with food is almost impossible, since this exceeds the absorption capacity of the intestinal mucosa. Therefore, to treat anemia during feeding, additional medicines. They contain iron and other substances in a form available to the body, which makes it easier to absorb. In acute or chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract ( gastritis, gastric ulcer, colitis, etc.) it is possible to introduce these substances in the form of injections. Then they enter directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the intestinal mucosa. Similar treatment tactics are recommended for other chronic inflammatory diseases ( dermatitis, psoriasis, rheumatism, etc.). In this case, the problem is that in addition to the formation of milk and hemoglobin, the body is forced to repair damaged tissues, which also consumes nutrients. The rate of their consumption is increasing even more.

Based on the foregoing, it can be concluded that the final therapeutic dose can only be calculated by the attending physician, who is familiar with the patient's medical history. Before prescribing treatment, special laboratory tests should be carried out, which will show exactly which substance is lacking in the body.

To replenish iron stores in a nursing woman, the following drugs can be used:

• Tardyferon. Usually prescribed 1 - 2 tablets per day, depending on how low the hemoglobin level is. The course of treatment lasts at least 3 months.
• Aktiferrin. 1 capsule 1-2 times a day until hemoglobin level normalizes.
• Sorbifer. The prophylactic dose during lactation is 1 tablet per day, and the therapeutic ( in the presence of anemia) - 2 tablets.

There are many other analogues of these drugs. A single rule of application for all is that they need to be washed down with plenty of water ( 0.5 - 1 cup). You can also drink fruit juices, but in no case, not tea or coffee. At simultaneous reception antibiotics, it is worth checking the dose with a doctor, as some antibiotics impair iron absorption. Overdose should also be avoided, as this will affect the mother's health and milk supply. With low hemoglobin against the background of iron deficiency, these drugs are prescribed necessarily.

If the cause of low hemoglobin is a deficiency of vitamin B12 or folic acid, appropriate drugs are prescribed in the form of tablets or injections. The preferred form of administration and dose is determined by the attending physician, depending on the specific diagnosis.

Regardless of the course of drug treatment, foods rich in the above substances should be included in the diet. This will enhance the healing effect and speed up recovery. In food, these substances are contained in a slightly different form, and therefore complement the treatment.

With low hemoglobin in nursing mothers, preference should be given to following products supply:

• chicken and beef liver . They are a kind of depot in the body of animals, where iron, folic acid and vitamin B12 are stored. Preference should be given to boiled liver, not fried.
• Chicken meat and beef. They also contain large amounts of iron and vitamin B12. Pork in this case is not prohibited ( it is also rich in these substances), but you should still eat lean meats rather. Excess animal fats can affect the taste of milk, and the child will eat less.
• Seafood. Rich in iron and other trace elements. Preference is given to low-fat varieties of fish. The exceptions are crustaceans and mackerel, as they can provoke allergies. They are excluded from the diet.
• Vegetables and fruits. From vegetables and fruits, the body can get a small amount of folic acid and iron. Citrus fruits should be avoided it increases the risk of allergies) and plants that cause increased gas formation ( beans, pears, etc.).
• Bread with bran. If, when eating such bread, the mother and child do not experience flatulence ( increased gas formation), then it is preferred over white and black bread. Bran contains a significant amount of vitamins that stimulate the bone marrow.

It should be borne in mind that all of the above methods help to cope with anemia caused by a lack of any substances in the diet. However, hemoglobin can also be lowered against the background of other, more serious diseases. Therefore, treatment is prescribed by a doctor after a thorough examination of the patient. In some cases, the course of treatment will require the use of drugs that are not recommended during lactation. Then breastfeeding will need to be stopped to improve the health of the mother, and the baby is transferred to infant formula.

Does hematogen increase hemoglobin?

Unlike other foods, hematogen contains processed hemoglobin derived from the blood of cattle. Of course, during the preparation process, the blood is pre-treated and divided into its constituent parts. This is done to increase the biological value of the product and prevent the transmission of any infections. To improve the taste, sugar, honey and other ingredients are added to the final product ( the exact composition is determined by the manufacturer).

From a medical point of view, hematogen is a stimulant of hematopoiesis ( hematopoiesis), since its use enhances metabolic processes in the red bone marrow and increases the production of blood cells. Hemoglobin that enters the body is not absorbed directly in the intestine. Like any other food, it is exposed to digestive enzymes and broken down into its constituent parts ( carbohydrates into monosaccharides, fats into fatty acids, proteins into amino acids). All these components are individually absorbed into the blood, transformed in the liver and enter the red bone marrow, where they are used for the synthesis of hemoglobin and red blood cells.

The therapeutic effect of hematogen in anemia is due to the high content of the following substances:

• Squirrels. All proteins are made up of specific amino acids. In bovine erythrocytes, from which hematogen is made, the amino acid composition of proteins is very close to that of a human. Due to this, protein components are easily digested and absorbed. 100 g of hematogen contains about 6 g of animal proteins.
• Fats. Animal fats contained in the hematogen, as well as proteins, are very similar in chemical composition to fats in the human body. Because of this, they represent a large nutritional value generally. The fat content in the hematogen is approximately 3 g per 100 g of the product. However, fats do not play a direct role in stimulating the work of the bone marrow.
• Carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are the main source of energy in the human body. Their share in the hematogen is approximately 75% by weight. Like fats, they do not take part in the synthesis of hemoglobin.
• Iron. This microelement is the most important part of the hematogen. Its content can vary widely, but always remains higher than in any other food. Such a high value is due to the fact that hemoglobin itself contains a large amount of iron. And since the main component in the manufacture of hematogen is bovine erythrocytes, the proportion of iron in it is very high.
• Other vitamins and trace elements. The hematogen also contains a number of fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins that stimulate the bone marrow. Compared to other products, the content of minerals and other trace elements is increased. In this case, it is difficult to specify their exact concentration, since it varies greatly depending on which flavors were used in the preparation.

Thus, the hematogen is very valuable and effective tool to combat iron deficiency anemia. It also helps to restore the normal composition of the blood after bleeding, after severe infectious diseases, or for donors who often donate blood. In these cases, the problem lies precisely in the insufficient rate of production of hemoglobin and red blood cells, and the hematogen spurs this process.

However, with the independent use of hematogen, one should be careful. The fact is that anemia can be caused not only by iron deficiency, but also by a number of congenital problems or diseases of a different nature. Then the excess iron supplied with the hematogen will not benefit the body. On the contrary, side effects such as nausea or diarrhea may occur.

Based on this, the ideal option for low hemoglobin is the delivery of specific tests. This will determine if there is a deficiency in the body of iron or some other substance that can be replenished by the use of hematogen. The results of the tests should be evaluated by the attending physician ( preferably a hematologist), which will give a final conclusion about the benefits of hematogen for a particular patient. People who do not suffer from anemia, the periodic use of hematogen is not prohibited. On the contrary, it will be regarded as the prevention of low hemoglobin levels. But do not focus only on the use of hematogen. A number of substances that also play an important role in hematopoiesis are found in fresh vegetables and fruits, seafood, meat. Well, alcohol, for example, on the contrary, inhibits the production of red blood cells. Therefore, the hematogen in anemia is undoubtedly useful, but rather as a component of a balanced diet.

Does pomegranate increase hemoglobin levels?

Pomegranate is one of the most common hemoglobin boosters at home. Contrary to popular belief, this plant does not contain hemoglobin. This protein is exclusively of animal origin and is synthesized in the red bone marrow. However, pomegranate still brings some benefit in anemia. This is due to the high content in its fruits of valuable substances that stimulate hematopoiesis ( hematopoiesis). However, not all anemias can be cured by simply eating pomegranate. From a medical point of view, this is just a valuable food product that can be used to prevent a decrease in hemoglobin or as part of a diet for anemia. However, in no case should it be treated as the main means for combating the disease.

The fact is that pomegranate contains only a part of the necessary for hematopoiesis ( hematopoiesis) minerals and vitamins. For example, it does not contain vitamin B12, which can be found mainly in animal products. Therefore, in patients with B12-deficiency anemia, its use will not help raise hemoglobin.

Nutritional value of pomegranate fruit

Nutrients, vitamins and trace elements	The content in pomegranate fruits ( per 100 g)	daily requirement of the body
Squirrels	0.6 - 0.8 g	30 - 55 g (plant origin)
Fats	0.5 - 0.7 g	60 - 120 g (depending on gender, occupation)
Carbohydrates	14.3 - 14.7 g	250 - 550 g
Vitamin PP	0.4 mg	20 mg (25 during pregnancy and lactation)
Vitamin C	3.8 - 4.0 mg	75 - 90 mg
Vitamin B1	0.04 mg	1.0 - 1.2 mg
Vitamin B2	0.015 mg	1.8 - 2.2 mg
Vitamin B6	0.4 - 0.6 mg	2.0 - 2.2 mg
Vitamin B9 (folic acid)	17 - 20 mcg	200 - 300 mcg
Iron	1 mg in pulp and 0.05 mg per 1 g of peel	15 - 18 mg
Potassium	150 mg	2 - 3 g
Calcium	10 mg	1 - 1.2 g
Magnesium	2 mg	300 - 420 mg

Vegetable proteins, folic acid and iron are of primary importance for hematopoiesis. However, as you can see from the table, even eating a few pomegranates a day or drinking a liter of pomegranate juice can not get the required dose of all the nutrients. The problem is that the nutritious pulp, which is usually eaten and used for juice production, is only 55 - 65% of the weight of the fruit. In addition, the table shows the consumption rate for healthy people. Patients already suffering from anemia require higher doses of these substances.

Thus, pomegranate may help raise hemoglobin only in a certain group of patients with low hemoglobin. First of all, these are people with iron deficiency anemia, whose hemoglobin level is not lower than 100 g / l. In this case, the symptoms of the disease are usually mild, and sometimes absent altogether. Iron deficiency in the body is considered moderate and can be corrected through diet. True, such non-drug treatment will last at least several months until the hemoglobin level stabilizes. Pomegranates and pomegranate juice in this case will be only part of the diet. In addition to them, you should also eat red meat, fish, nuts and other foods rich in various vitamins and minerals. Similarly, you can raise the level of hemoglobin after trauma accompanied by bleeding, heavy menstruation or other episodes of blood loss. But if the hemoglobin level falls below 100 g/l, it is still necessary to consult a doctor and supplement the diet with a special course of treatment.

Pomegranates and pomegranate juice will not help restore hemoglobin in the following cases:

• anemia due to vitamin B12 deficiency- since this substance is almost not contained in pomegranates;
• anemia due to protein deficiency- since the pomegranate does not contain protein in sufficient quantities;
• oncological diseases of the hematopoietic system- since they affect the tissues themselves, which normally produce red blood cells and hemoglobin;
• birth defects of enzymes- since the process of hemoglobin synthesis in the red bone marrow is disrupted;
• anemia after surgery on the gastrointestinal tract (gastrointestinal tract) - since the absorption of nutrients in the intestine will be impaired;
• anemia due to chronic diseases- in this case, grenades raise hemoglobin, but without specific treatment of the underlying disease, this measure will be temporary.

Thus, pomegranates and pomegranate juice are undoubtedly a very useful product that stimulates the processes of hematopoiesis in the body and helps to increase the level of hemoglobin. However, only this method of treatment is not universal. With anemia of non-food origin associated with other diseases and disorders in the body, pomegranate juice will not help. With a decrease in the level of hemoglobin, you should first of all consult a doctor to determine the cause of the disease. Only after that it will become clear how useful a diet with pomegranates and pomegranate juice will be in this particular case.

How to quickly increase the level of hemoglobin in the blood? Products that increase hemoglobin

Hemoglobin (HB, HGB) is often talked about without even knowing, but only suspecting its importance in the human body. , popularly called anemia, or, as a rule, are associated with variations in the values ​​of the red blood pigment. Meanwhile, the range of tasks of hemoglobin is very wide and its fluctuations in one direction or another can cause serious health problems.

Most often, a drop in the level of hemoglobin is associated with the development of iron deficiency anemia, it often occurs in adolescents, young girls, during pregnancy, so the main focus in this article will be on what is most interesting and understandable to the patient, because the patient will not independently engage in any any severe form of hemolytic anemia.

Four hemes + globin

The hemoglobin molecule is a complex protein (chromoprotein) consisting of four hemes and a globin protein. Heme, in the center of which is divalent (Fe 2+), is responsible for the binding of oxygen in the lungs. By combining with oxygen and turning into oxyhemoglobin(HHbO 2), it immediately delivers the component necessary for respiration to the tissues, and from there it takes carbon dioxide, forming carbohemoglobin(HHbCO 2) to transport it to the lungs. Oxyhemoglobin and carbohemoglobin are physiological compounds of hemoglobin.

The functional responsibilities of the red blood pigment in the human body include participation in the regulation of acid-base balance, because it is one of the four buffer systems that maintain a constant pH of the internal environment at a level of 7.36 - 7.4.

In addition, being localized inside red blood cells, hemoglobin regulates blood viscosity, prevents water from escaping from tissues and thereby reduces oncotic pressure, and also prevents unauthorized consumption of hemoglobin when blood passes through the kidneys.

Hemoglobin is synthesized in, or rather, in the bone marrow, when they are still in the nuclear stage (erythroblasts and).

"Harmful" abilities of hemoglobin

Even better than with oxygen, hemoglobin binds to carbon monoxide(CO), transforming into carboxyhemoglobin(HHbCO), which is a very strong compound that significantly reduces the physiological ability of the red blood pigment. Everyone knows how dangerous it is for a person to stay in a room filled with carbon monoxide. It is enough to inhale only 0.1% CO2 with air for 80% Hb to combine with it and create a strong bond, leading to the death of the organism. It should be noted that smokers in this regard are constantly at risk, in their blood the content of carboxyhemoglobin is 3 times higher than the norm (N - up to 1%), and after a deep puff it is 10 times higher.

the formation of oxygenated oxyhemoglobin and “harmful” carboxyhemoglobin that carries carbon monoxide

A very dangerous state for the hemoglobin molecule is the replacement of ferrous iron in heme (Fe 2+) with trivalent (Fe 3+) with the formation of a form hazardous to health - methemoglobin. Methemoglobin sharply inhibits the transfer of oxygen to the organs, creating unacceptable conditions for normal life. Methemoglobinemia occurs as a result of poisoning with certain chemicals or is present as a hereditary pathology. It may be associated with the transmission of a defective dominant gene or due to recessive inheritance of a special form of enzymopathy (low activity of an enzyme capable of restoring metHb to normal hemoglobin).

Such a necessary and remarkable complex protein in all respects, as hemoglobin, localized in erythrocytes, can become a very dangerous substance if, for any reason, it enters the plasma. Then it becomes very toxic, causing oxygen starvation of tissues (hypoxia) and poisoning the body with its decay products (iron). In addition, large Hb molecules that have not been destroyed and continue to circulate in the blood enter the renal tubules, close them and thereby contribute to the development of acute renal failure (acute renal failure).

Such phenomena, as a rule, accompany severe pathological conditions associated with disorders in the blood system:

• Congenital and acquired; (sickle cell, thalassemia, autoimmune, toxic, Moshkovich's disease, etc.);
• Transfusion of blood incompatible for group erythrocyte antigens (,).

Violations in the structural structure of hemoglobin in medicine are called hemoglobinopathies. This is a circle of hereditary blood diseases, which includes such well-known pathological conditions as, for example, sickle cell anemia and thalassemia.

Limits of normal values

Something, but the norm of hemoglobin, perhaps, can not be painted. This is one of the indicators, the normal values ​​\u200b\u200bof which, without hesitation, most people will name. However, we allow ourselves to recall that the norm for women is slightly different from that for men, which is understandable from the point of view of physiology, because the female sex loses some amount of blood every month, and at the same time iron and protein.

In addition, the level of hemoglobin cannot remain unchanged during pregnancy, and although fetal (HbF) hemoglobin provides oxygen to the fetal tissues, its level also decreases slightly (!) in the mother. This is because the volume of plasma during pregnancy increases, the blood thins (in proportion to the decrease in red blood cells). Meanwhile, such a phenomenon is considered a physiological state, so there can be no talk of any significant drop in the level of Hb, as a norm. Thus, for normal hemoglobin, depending on gender and age, the following values ​​\u200b\u200bare taken:

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

Considering hemoglobin, one cannot ignore other indicators that indicate whether hemoglobin fills the red blood cells sufficiently, or whether they circulate lightly, without Hb.

Indicating the degree of saturation, it can have the following meanings:

• 0.8 - 1.0 (erythrocytes are normochromic - no problem);
• Less than 0.8 (hypochromic - anemia);
• Greater than 1.0 (Er hyperchromic, cause?).

In addition, the saturation of red blood cells with pigment may be indicated by such a criterion as SGE ( average contentHbin 1 erythrocyte, which, when examined in an automatic analyzer, is denoted SIT), its norm is from 27 to 31 pg.

However, the hematological analyzer considers other parameters that reflect the state of red blood (, the average hemoglobin content in erythrocytes, the average volume of erythrocytes, their heterogeneity index, etc.).

Why does hemoglobin level change?

The level of hemoglobin to some extent depends on:

1. Seasons (decreases in autumn, probably because people harvest and prefer plant foods),
2. The nature of nutrition: vegetarians have lower Hb;
3. Climate and terrain (where there is little sun, anemia is more common, and in high mountainous areas, hemoglobin rises);
4. Lifestyle (active sports and intense physical work for a long time increase hemoglobin);
5. Oddly enough, both clean fresh air and smoking have almost the same effect on Hb levels (they increase it). Most likely, in smokers, this indicator includes hemoglobin altered by tobacco smoke, so those who like to relax with a cigarette seem to have no reason to be satisfied with the tests, but there is an opportunity to think: what does hemoglobin carry in the smoker's erythrocytes?

Hemoglobin is low

“I have low globin,” said a woman who stayed too long in the maternity hospital and explained the essence of the problem to curious neighbors. Low hemoglobin, unlike high, is quite common, everyone is actively fighting it, using not only medical preparations containing iron and B vitamins, but also a wide range of folk remedies and products that increase hemoglobin.

Decreased or low hemoglobin along with a decrease in the number of red blood cells is called anemia(anemia), for men, anemia is considered to be a drop in the level of Hb below 130 g / l, women are afraid of anemia if the hemoglobin content in erythrocytes becomes less than 120 g / l.

In the diagnosis of anemia, hemoglobin plays a decisive role, since red blood cells do not always have time to decrease (in mild forms). It is appropriate to name the main forms of anemia, because this concept is not limited to iron deficiency anemia (IDA). Thus, 6 main groups are most often considered:

• Acute post-hemorrhagic anemia, that occurs after massive blood loss. It is clear that the causes of low hemoglobin here will be injuries, wounds, internal bleeding.
• Iron-deficiency anemia- the most common, since a person does not know how to synthesize iron, but takes it from the outside with products rich in this element. You can not know about IDA for a long time if you do not take a blood test for Hb, Er, CPU, etc.
• sideroahrestic anemia, associated with a violation of the utilization and synthesis of porphyrin and the accumulation of excess iron as a result. The cause of low hemoglobin in this case may be a hereditary factor (lack of an enzyme that includes iron in heme) or an acquired pathology resulting from lead intoxication, alcoholism, cutaneous porphyria, or as a result of treatment with anti-tuberculosis drugs (tubazid).
• Megaloblastic, B12 and/or folic acid deficiency(Addison-Birmer disease). This form was once called malignant anemia.
• hemolytic anemia, united by a common feature - the accelerated decay of red blood cells, which instead of 3 months live only a month and a half.
• Anemia associated with inhibition of erythroid proliferation, for example, its displacement in tumors, aplastic anemia during treatment with cytostatics, or exposure to high doses of radiation.

There are quite a lot of conditions that have a symptom of low hemoglobin, each of them has its own development mechanism and prerequisites for occurrence, but we will consider the most common causes and symptoms of this pathology.

Why does the color of blood turn pale?

The causes of low hemoglobin, in addition to the climate or the state of pregnancy, can stem from many circumstances:

Obviously, if you list the causes of low hemoglobin in each form of anemia, and then summarize, then there will be much more of them.

How does anemia manifest itself?

Symptoms indicating low hemoglobin, as well as causes: there are general ones, but there are purely specific ones. For example, the deposition of iron in places unusual for it with sideroachrestic anemia leads to the appearance of various pathologies: (Fe accumulates in the pancreas), cirrhosis of the liver (in the heart), eunuchoidism (in the sex glands), but this does not mean that the same troubles will come out with other forms.

Meanwhile, low hemoglobin can be assumed by some signs:

• Pale (sometimes with a yellowish tinge) dry skin, scratches that do not heal well.
• Seizures in the corners of the mouth, cracks in the lips, sore tongue.
• Brittle nails, split ends dull hair.
• Muscle weakness, fatigue, drowsiness, lethargy, depression.
• Decreased concentration, flashing "flies" before the eyes, intolerance to stuffy rooms.
• Drooling at night frequent urges for urination.
• Reduced immunity, poor resistance to seasonal infections.
• Headaches, dizziness, possible fainting.
• Shortness of breath, heart palpitations.
• Enlargement of the liver and / or spleen (a sign that is not characteristic of all forms).

Clinical manifestations of anemia increase as the process develops and progresses.

Above normal

A high level of hemoglobin can be a sign of blood clotting and risk, a symptom of hematological diseases (polycythemia) and other pathologies:

1. Malignant neoplasms, the cells of which are in great need of oxygen;
2. Bronchial asthma and cardiopulmonary insufficiency;
3. A consequence of a burn disease (poisoning with toxins released from dead cells);
4. Violations of the synthesis of proteins in the liver, which could prevent the release of water from the plasma (liver disease);
5. Fluid loss in diseases of the intestinal tract (obstruction, poisoning, infection).

In addition to determining hemoglobin, which is an important indicator, in cases of diabetes, glycated hemoglobin is determined, which is a biochemical study.

It is considered a very important diagnostic criterion based on the property of Hb to create a strong bond with glucose, so its increase may be evidence of an increase in blood sugar for a long time (approximately 3 months - this is the lifetime of red blood cells). The rate of glycated hemoglobin is in the range of 4 - 5.9%. Elevated hemoglobin containing glucose indicates the development of complications of diabetes (retinopathy, nephropathy).

With an increased level of hemoglobin (even with sugar, even without it), it is not recommended to fight on your own. In the first case, it is necessary to treat diabetes mellitus, and in the second, one should look for the cause and try to eliminate it with the help of adequate therapeutic measures, otherwise the situation can only aggravate.

little secrets

In order to increase hemoglobin in the blood, just in case, you need to know the reason for its fall. You can use foods that increase hemoglobin as much as you like (iron, B vitamins), but if they are not properly absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract, then success may not be expected. Most likely, to begin with, you will have to undergo a set of examinations, including a very terrible and unloved FGDS (fibrogastroduodenoscopy) to exclude the pathology of the stomach and duodenum 12.

As for products that increase hemoglobin, there are also some nuances here. Many are rich in iron plant sources(pomegranate, apples, mushrooms, sea kale, nuts, legumes, gourds), but a person by nature is a predator and Fe is well absorbed with proteins, such as:

• Veal;
• Beef;
• Hot lamb;
• Low-fat pork (by the way, lard, don’t season it with iron, it won’t add it);
• Chicken doesn't work very well, but goose and turkey can pass for hemoglobin-boosting foods;
• There is not enough iron in chicken eggs, but there is a lot of vitamin B 12 and folic acid;
• There is a lot of iron in the liver, but it is there in the form of hemosiderin, which is practically not absorbed (!), besides, one should not forget that the liver is a detoxification organ, so, probably, you should not get too carried away.

What can help the absorption of the necessary substances? This is where you need to look carefully. So that the efforts and money spent on the diet are not in vain, and home treatment is good, some things to remember diet food with anemia:

1. Ascorbic acid greatly contributes to the absorption of iron from other foods, so citrus fruits (oranges, lemons) will complement the diet well and help raise hemoglobin at home.
2. Of the side dishes, buckwheat is best able to increase Hb, millet porridge and oat flakes, but butter and margarine can not be added, they still contain almost no iron.
3. It is not very useful to drink strong tea with lunch, it inhibits the absorption of iron, but rose hips, cocoa (without milk) or dark chocolate will complement an iron-fortified meal well.
4. You can not use simultaneously with products that increase hemoglobin, cheeses, cottage cheese, milk, they contain calcium, which prevents the absorption of Fe.
5. Small (!) doses of dry red wine help to raise hemoglobin at home (in hospitals this is prohibited), but the main thing here is not to overdo it, because there will be the opposite effect, and even better - go to the pharmacy and buy a hematogen, which is sold there in in the form of toffees: both tasty and healthy.

Meat, buckwheat and rosehip broth are, of course, wonderful, but only in case of mild anemia (up to 90 g / l) and as an aid for moderate severity (up to 70 g / l), but if there is a pronounced form, then without the help of iron-containing preparations you can’t do it for sure. Patients do not prescribe them to themselves, because, due to the development of complications and undesirable side effects (deposition of iron in organs and tissues - secondary hemachromatosis), treatment requires constant laboratory monitoring and medical supervision.

With regard to other forms of anemia, it should be noted that it is probably impossible to increase hemoglobin at home with the help of products and folk remedies, you need to treat the underlying disease, and in this case it is better to trust the doctor.

Video: low hemoglobin - Dr. Komarovsky

The concentration of hemoglobin is changeable and is influenced by various factors. A decrease in the level of blood pigment is characteristic of a third of the entire female population. How to find out the causes and understand the clinical symptoms of low hemoglobin? What pathological processes are indicated by signs of low hemoglobin? What are the ways to improve it?

Hemoglobin - what is it?

Vital blood protein , which is a pigment for erythrocytes (red cells), is called hemoglobin.

It has a complex structure containing:

• ions of iron-porphyrin (heme), giving the blood a characteristic rich red color;
• colorless protein component (globin).

The main function of hemoglobin is the transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide. between the lungs, organs and tissues of the human body, ensuring a stable metabolism.

About low hemoglobin on video

Norms of hemoglobin in women

Changes in hormonal status affect the content of hemoglobin in the female body. That is why it is very important to monitor the content of this essential protein.

Age	Norm (g/l)
newborns	134 — 195
1 month	116 — 175
2 months	95 — 135
half a year	100 — 140
1 year	105 — 145
5 years	110 — 135
12 years	114 — 150
15 years	112 — 145
From 18 years old	119 — 140
After 65 years	130 — 155

Symptoms and signs of low hemoglobin in women

A true clinical sign of anemia is considered to be the presence of pale or blue earlobes and lips in a woman.

You can also notice other changes in appearance:

• dry, pale (sometimes with yellowness), scaly skin;
• angular stomatitis (colloquially "zaedy");
• fragility of the nail plates;
• hair loss;
• pastosity (puffiness) of the face.

In addition, a decrease in hemoglobin concentration is manifested by:

• asthenia (general weakness);
• tinnitus;
• drowsiness;
• increased fatigue;
• anxiety, depression;
• dizziness and frequent headaches;
• the presence of dyspnea (shortness of breath at rest) - a violation of the depth and frequency of breathing, which is accompanied by a feeling of lack of air;
• low blood pressure;
• increased heart rate (tachycardia);
• decreased attention and memory;
• lack of coordination;
• distortion of taste (there is a desire to eat chalk, sand, raw dough, meat) and smell (they attract the smell of paint, gasoline, acetone);
• itching in the groin;
• disorder of the menstrual cycle;
• decreased libido (sex drive);
• hypotrophy.

What does low hemoglobin mean in women?

Anemia is a group of pathological syndromes consisting of laboratory data and clinical manifestations. This condition is based on a decrease in the concentration of hemoglobin, a decrease in the number of red blood cells, and tissue hypoxia.

Clinical symptoms of anemia can develop both gradually and at lightning speed - it depends on the causes causing a decrease in hemoglobin.

chronic course The pathological process is characterized by the adaptation of the female body to a reduced level of hemoglobin. Acute course causes damage to the heart muscle and brain, since these organs are most sensitive to oxygen starvation.

How can women increase hemoglobin?

With anemia, it is important for women to follow a special diet, which must be oriented towards getting the body enough foods containing vitamins B-6 and B-12, folic acid and iron.

These include:

• beef liver, pork kidneys, chicken, eggs;
• buckwheat, legumes;
• tomatoes, new potatoes, pumpkin, carrots, beets, Beijing cabbage;
• apples, pomegranates, persimmons, strawberries, apricots, black currants, bananas, cranberries;
• lettuce, parsley, celery, spinach, onion, dill;
• seafood;
• walnuts;
• chocolate.

Blood flows through our veins. Not blue, like those of spiders or persons who consider themselves to be members of the aristocracy (as was once believed), not green, and not even orange. She is red. And this color gives colorant called hemoglobin.

Hemoglobin and its importance for the blood and the body

Hemoglobin is a protein (globin) containing iron (heme). It is this mineral, or rather, its atoms, that color our blood red. But in addition to color, protein provides blood and organs with oxygen. Do not confuse hemoglobin and erythrocytes. Erythrocytes are blood cells, and hemoglobin is part of the erythrocytes, is responsible for the color of these bodies and for saturating the blood with oxygen.

It happens like this. A person inhales, the blood, passing through the lungs, is enriched with oxygen precisely due to hemoglobin, which turns into oxyhemoglobin (oxy - oxygen). Blood with oxyhemoglobin is bright red - this is the color it flows through our arteries, which is why it is called arterial. Passing through the cycle through the body, the blood distributes oxygen to the organs, and oxyhemoglobin turns into carboxyhemoglobin, that is, blood without oxygen. It is dark red or otherwise venous, as it flows through the veins.

Since we were talking about blue blood at the beginning of the article, such blood really exists. But not in humans, but in arachnids. Their blood-forming element is not hemoglobin with iron atoms, but hemocyanin containing copper atoms. It is unlikely that spiders were the ancestors of royal persons, and therefore they could not have blue blood. But Spiderman (Spiderman, who watches you from the T-shirts of many modern kids) could well have blue blood.

By the way, since we are talking about fictional characters, I wonder what kind of blood Count Dracula prefers? Once it digs into the neck, where the carotid artery passes, it can be assumed that it is arterial. Although the color is more like a venous one.

By taking blood tests, you can find out the level of hemoglobin in arterial (read, capillary) or venous blood. Therefore, there are two options for taking blood: from a finger or from a vein.

Fear should cause both low hemoglobin and its high content in the blood. But most often low hemoglobin occurs - the therapist or gemologist finds out and explains the causes and consequences to the patient.

Low hemoglobin. Causes

There is a generally accepted norm for the content of hemoglobin in the blood.

• In men, 140-160 grams per liter. Therefore, they are stronger and more resilient.
• In women, 120-140 grams per liter. Therefore, women are weaker and more cunning.
• In children in the first few days after birth, the hemoglobin level is high - from 145 to 225 grams per liter. Then, by the age of six months, it decreases and ranges from 90 to 135 grams per liter. After a year and until adulthood, it gradually returns to normal, prescribed for men and women. Do not worry, during the period of hormonal growth, a significant fluctuation in the level of red blood cells is possible. Support your child with a balanced multivitamin during this time.

In the light of the current situation in ecology, a deviation of more or less than 10 grams per liter is acceptable.

A condition in which the level of red blood cells in the blood decreases is called anemia. Why does hemoglobin fall? The reasons can be different, up to hereditary. Let's list them.

• pregnancy, because daily rate iron increases exactly twice: for the mother and for the unborn child.
• Gastric ulcer.
• hemolytic anemia.
• Avitaminosis. For the production of hemoglobin and red blood cells, vitamin B12 and are needed.
• Blood transfusion. During this procedure, hemoglobin is destroyed.
• Hypoglycemia.
• A genetic disorder associated with the production of hemoglobin in the blood.
• Strict diet.
• Bleeding.
• Lead poisoning.
• Thalassemia and others.

Hemoglobin may temporarily decrease during the monthly cycle in women, but this is fixable.

Low hemoglobin. Symptoms in women

If a blood test showed low hemoglobin, the causes and consequences may either be interrelated or not affect each other. So, blood loss or any disease can cause fatigue. A diet or pregnancy (especially on early dates) have no effect on physical activity.

We figured out the reasons for the decrease in the level of red blood cells. What are the signs of low hemoglobin in women? How to recognize an alarm signal and respond in time? After all, earning anemia is quite simple and imperceptible. But to fix the matter is the result of a long work of the doctor and the patient. The following manifestations should alert:

• pale skin;
• suddenly dry skin;
• hair problems: loss, brittleness, split ends, tangled hair;
• caries;
• weak, exfoliating nails;
• yellowish enamel on the teeth;
• weakness in the body;
• bright red tongue;
• appeared snacks in the corners of the lips, not healing for a long time;
• cracks on the delicate skin of the lips;
• fast fatiguability;
• feeling that the heart is jumping out of the chest;
• dizziness;
• dyspnea;
• insomnia;
• frequent headaches up to migraine;
• tinnitus in the absence of osteochondrosis.

If you suspect that you have low hemoglobin, you have symptoms, or at least some of them, you must, without delay, take a referral from a therapist and donate blood for a comprehensive analysis. In this case, the consequences can be minimized.

Consequences of low hemoglobin

Having diagnosed the patient with "low hemoglobin", the doctor prescribes treatment - medications containing iron. This topic is so important and extensive that we will devote a separate article to it. In the meantime, we will understand what consequences iron deficiency anemia can lead to.

Those suffering from chronic anemia claim that they feel great and do not need to raise hemoglobin. But it's not.

Low hemoglobin means fatigue. So your efficiency is below the plinth. But you could do great things if your red blood cells were normal. But that's the lesser of the evils.

• Anemia of pregnant women threatens not only the future mothers themselves, but also the unborn baby. The mother and fetus still have one circulatory system, and the blood, not enriched with oxygen, does the same to the child. But if a woman, as an adult, has already somehow adapted to the situation, then the child is still defenseless. And the possibility of developing intrauterine diseases associated with the heart, brain activity, growth, development, or the circulatory system is not ruled out. Moreover, during childbirth, bleeding may occur, which, albeit in isolated cases, cannot be stopped.
• Low hemoglobin is a low concentration of oxygen in the blood. Due to the lack of oxygen, brain cells starve, work worse, reaction, memory, and performance deteriorate.
• Weakness is also a consequence of anemia.
• Anemia, more precisely, its severe degree - leukemia, is a blood cancer.
• Fainting and convulsions.
• Liver enlargement and edema.
• Cardiomyopathy. The heart, not getting enough oxygen, is forced to work like clockwork. But, constantly contracting at an increased rhythm, it wears out. Result: heart failure, ventricular disease of the heart.
• Tearfulness, apathy, disgusting mood, lethargy, causeless irritability.

The remaining consequences of low hemoglobin are the same as those listed as symptoms: this is the condition of the hair, skin, and general well-being, and other factors.

Don't delay taking the test. It is easier to deal with problems at an early stage than to treat the consequences that have become serious.