What is HCB in blood test?

Definition. By Mayo Clinic Staff. A high hemoglobin count indicates an above-normal level of the iron-containing protein in red blood cells. Hemoglobin (often abbreviated as Hb or Hgb) is the oxygen-carrying component of red blood cells.

What is HCB and HCT in blood test?

Hemoglobin and hematocrit are both red blood cell measurements that are used to help diagnose nutritional deficiencies, acute illnesses, and chronic medical conditions.

What is a normal HBC count?

Normal hemoglobin counts are 14 to 17 gm/dL (grams per deciliter) for men and 12 to 15 gm/dL for women.

What is the normal range of Hb?

Normal hemoglobin levels are different for men and women. For men, a normal level ranges between 14.0 grams per deciliter (gm/dL) and 17.5 gm/dL. For women, a normal level ranges between 12.3 gm/dL and 15.3 gm/dL. A severe low hemoglobin level for men is 13.5 gm/dL or lower.

What causes low Hgb?

Low hemoglobin is caused by: Low iron intake in the diet or low iron absorption. Menstrual bleeding. Bleeding from any cause, including surgery,3 trauma, or a gastrointestinal bleed from an ulcer.

Why would Hgb be high?

A high hemoglobin count occurs most commonly when your body requires an increased oxygen-carrying capacity, usually because: You smoke. You live at a high altitude and your red blood cell production naturally increases to compensate for the lower oxygen supply there.

Why would Hgb and HCT be low?

Possible causes of low Hgb include: lack of iron in your diet, which makes it harder for your bone marrow to produce Hgb. lack of folate or vitamin B-12, which can lead to your body producing fewer red blood cells than are needed. severe blood loss after surgery or a major injury.

What is low hemoglobin?

Hemoglobin (Hb or Hgb) is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body. A low hemoglobin count is generally defined as less than 13.2 grams of hemoglobin per deciliter (132 grams per liter) of blood for men and less than 11.6 grams per deciliter (116 grams per liter) for women.