Hemoglobin values

it is a protein containing four atoms of iron, essential for the transport of oxygen from the lungs to the various body tissues. The same molecule also takes care of carrying part of the carbon dioxide from the tissues that produced it to the lungs.
Hemoglobin is the main component of red blood cells, so its values in the blood are often - but not always - proportional to the red blood cell count and hematocrit.

, hemoglobin, on the other hand, transports carbon dioxide to the lungs, from which it is expelled with the exhaled air.
For this reason, it is important that hemoglobin values are carefully evaluated: its deficiency leads to a state of anemia, as well as weakness and various other ailments.

There are several defects in the globin and heme genes. These can give rise to diseases such as thalassemia and porphyria.

indicating the percentage ratio of red blood cells to plasma) or blood count, as an integral part of health assessment.
The hemoglobin test may be required for several reasons:

For a routine check-up: Your doctor may request this as part of a general screening.
For the diagnosis of a medical condition: the doctor may suggest the hemoglobin test when he suspects that the patient has a condition such as anemia (decreased hemoglobin) or polycythemia (increased hemoglobin), or when the patient has symptoms such as weakness, fatigue, shortness of breath or dizziness.
To monitor disease or responses to treatment: Your doctor may use the test to monitor a variety of conditions and disorders that affect the red blood cells and / or the amount of hemoglobin in the blood. The test can also be used to assess blood pressure. effectiveness of treatment when the patient has been diagnosed with bleeding problems, anemia or polycythemia. In addition, the examination may be prescribed during chemotherapy protocols for the treatment of a tumor.

Together with the hematocrit and the blood count, to establish the exact cause of the alteration of the hemoglobin values, other analyzes can be performed, such as:

Blood smear
Count of reticulocytes (transition elements between nucleated erythroblasts and red blood cells, present both in the bone marrow and in the peripheral blood);
Bone marrow biopsy.

Hemoglobin analysis: what is electrophoresis?

Hemoglobin electrophoresis is a test that allows us to evaluate the presence or absence of abnormal forms of hemoglobin.If this protein has an unconventional shape, then it is unable to efficiently transport oxygen to the tissues.
The physical principle on which electrophoresis is based consists in an analytical-separative technique, which allows to evaluate the movement of electrically charged particles under the influence of an electric field, if they are in a fluid medium.
With this analytical technique, the most common hemoglobin abnormalities are diagnosed, such as Mediterranean anemia (or beta-thalassemia).

low oxygen levels, resulting from chronic lung disease or heart disease;

Increased release of erythropoietin by the kidney;

Taking synthetic erythropoietin or drugs that stimulate its synthesis;

Bone marrow dysfunctions that lead to "excessive synthesis of red blood cells;

Extended stay on the high ground.

Examples of diseases and conditions that can increase hemoglobin values in the blood:

COPD;
Blood doping (erythropoietin, epoetin, mircera etc.);
Dehydration;
Emphysema;
Heart failure;
Renal cell carcinoma;
Liver cancer;
Polycythemia;
Smoking habits;
Polyglobulia;
Diarrhea;
Burns;
Repeated transfusions

When present, SYMPTOMS associated with an increase in hemoglobin include:

Vision disturbances;
Dizziness;
Headache;
Red complexion of the face;
Enlarged spleen.

and the more frequent habit of following low-calorie diets low in meat (which is the best dietary source of iron). Even during pregnancy, hemoglobin levels typically tend to decrease.
Other times, the hemoglobin values decrease too much due to the presence of various diseases. Anemia can, for example, be the result of: