If your body feels weak even though you have had enough rest and eat enough, you may have a hemoglobin (Hb) deficiency. Causes of low Hb can vary and treatment must be tailored to the underlying cause.
Hemoglobin is a part of red blood cells that functions to transport oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood. Hemoglobin levels can be determined through blood tests.
Generally, a normal hemoglobin level in women ranges from 12–15 grams/dL and in men it ranges from 13–17 grams/dL. A person is said to have a low Hb if the hemoglobin level in their blood is below that number.
Recognizing the Cause of Low Hb
The following are some conditions or diseases that can cause low Hb:
1. Malnutrition
Low Hb can be caused because the body lacks intake of certain vitamins and minerals. One of the nutrients that plays an important role in producing Hb and red blood cells is iron. This condition is known as iron deficiency anemia and is the most common type of anemia.
If the body lacks iron, red blood cells will be difficult to produce. As a result, Hb levels in the body will decrease and inhibit the transport of oxygen to all body tissues.
In addition to iron deficiency, Hb levels in the body can also be reduced if you lack folic acid and vitamin B12. This is because these two nutrients are needed to form new cells, including red blood cells.
2. Pregnancy
Pregnancy can be the cause of low Hb. This condition is quite common in pregnant women. However, that does not mean this can be underestimated.
A decrease in the number of Hb or anemia that is classified as severe during pregnancy can cause the fetus to be born with low weight, be born prematurely, experience anemia, or experience growth and development disorders after birth.
If pregnant women suffer from anemia and are not treated immediately, this condition can cause pregnant women to be at high risk of pregnancy complications and bleeding after delivery.
Therefore, the condition of low Hb or anemia in pregnant women needs to be prevented and treated as early as possible. That is the reason why pregnant women need to undergo routine obstetrical examinations to the obstetrician or midwife.
If pregnant women are diagnosed with low Hb, doctors can prescribe supplements that contain iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12 to increase Hb and red blood cell levels.
In addition to taking supplements, pregnant women are also advised to eat foods that contain iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12, such as meat, eggs, fish, nuts, and milk and processed products, such as cheese and yogurt.
3. Blood loss
Low Hb levels can also be experienced by people who lose a lot of blood, for example due to:
- Serious injury or injury
- Bleeding during surgery
- Bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, for example from gastric ulcers, hemorrhoids, or colon cancer
- Bloody urine
- Menorrhagia or menstruation
- Too often donate blood
4. Blood disorders
Low Hb levels can indicate a blood disorder. One of them is thalassemia. This disease is generally hereditary.
Symptoms of thalassemia include changes in bone shape, especially in the face, often feeling tired or lacking energy, dark urine color, impaired growth and development, and pale skin.
In addition to thalassemia, blood disorders that can also cause low Hb are blood cancer (leukemia) and lymphoma.
5. Chronic disease
There are several chronic diseases that can cause low Hb levels, including chronic kidney failure, cirrhosis, hypothyroidism, bone marrow disorders, and infections such as malaria.
The causes of low Hb are varied and do not always cause symptoms. However, people with Hb deficiency will sometimes experience symptoms of anemia in the form of fatigue, weakness, dizziness, pale skin and gums, shortness of breath, palpitations, and dizzy vision.
Normal Hb levels for each person vary depending on age and gender. The following is the range of normal Hb values:
- Adult males: 13 g/dL (grams per deciliter)
- Adult women: 12 g/dL
- Pregnant women: 11 g/dL
- Infant: 11 g/dL
- Children 1–6 years: 11.5 g/dL
- Children and adolescents aged 6–18 years: 12 g/dL
To prevent Hb levels from dropping, you are advised to eat foods high in iron and folate, such as beef liver, chicken liver, meat, green vegetables, nuts, and fruits, including watermelon, apricots, prunes, and raisins.
In addition to food, you can also take supplements that contain iron. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends iron supplements for adults at a dose of 30–60 mg to prevent anemia and increase the amount of hemoglobin.
Hb levels can be known through blood tests. Therefore, if you experience symptoms of low Hb, you should consult a doctor to determine whether the complaint is really caused by low Hb levels or other conditions.
After determining the diagnosis of low Hb, the doctor will also find out the cause of your low Hb and provide appropriate treatment for that cause.