Hemoglobin 116 in women is it normal or not, what to do

Hemoglobin is a proteincontained in blood cells, erythrocytes, which gives them their characteristic red color. Hemoglobin allows red blood cells to bind oxygen in the lungs and transport it to tissues and organs. It also helps transport small amounts of carbon dioxide, a product of cellular metabolism, from tissues and organs to the lungs, where it is exhaled.

From a medical point of view, a condition when hemoglobin decreases, for example, from 116 g / l and below, is called anemia. It is based on physiological causes such as aging, pathology or pregnancy in women. Altered values ​​may imply serious medical conditions such as kidney failure or swelling.

Values ​​are normal

Normal hemoglobin values ​​are strictly dependent on age and gender.

The average reference intervals for each individual patient group are shown below:

• Middle-aged women: 117-138 g / l;
• Adult females: 120-160 g / dl.

However, these thresholds may differ slightly from one analytical laboratory to another. In pregnant women and children, hemoglobin values ​​may be below normal due to the relative iron deficiency in conditions of increased body demand.

Why does it decrease to 116 g / l

Hemoglobin 116 in women or below can have many causes. Most often, this means anemia. A hemoglobin deficiency can also be a sign of leukemia. Therefore, if other causes are excluded, the doctor will prescribe tumor markers. Sometimes a low level is recorded after an injury that caused significant blood loss.

A decrease in the protein compound due to anemia is activated at 4 stages of the disease.

Therefore, anemia can be:

• light (110-120 g / l);
• medium (110-1098 g / l);
• heavy (<80 g / l);
• life-threatening (<60 g / l).

The main causes of low hemoglobin are deficiencies in vitamin B12, folate and iron. The decrease is influenced by chronic diseases, for example, kidney disease. The kidneys produce a hormone that stimulates the bone marrow to make more red blood cells.

Very often, low hemoglobin levels persist when the bone marrow begins to work intermittently. In this case, the stem cell is damaged, which prevents further cell division and differentiation. In this case, aplastic anemia develops.

Low values ​​are common for many disorders and diseases:

• "Hungry" and vegetarian diets;
• iron deficiency;
• vitamin B12 deficiency;
• lack of folic acid;
• bleeding;
• tumors that affect the bone marrow;
• chronic kidney and liver disease;
• hypothyroidism;
• thalassemia (a genetic disorder manifested by low levels of hemoglobin and red blood cells).

Symptoms associated with low hemoglobin levels:

• generalized chronic fatigue;
• decreased exercise tolerance;
• dyspnea;
• tachycardia during physical exertion;
• pallor of the mucous membrane.

Women of childbearing age tend to have lower hemoglobin levels due to the loss of iron and blood during their menstrual period.

Diagnostic methods

The test measures the amount of hemoglobin in the blood. Its increase in healthy adults can be roughly estimated by the value of the hematocrit (Ht). This is the ratio of the volume of red blood cells - erythrocytes - to the volume of blood. Thanks to Ht, the percentage of red blood cells to platelets and leukocytes is determined.

A general blood test reveals:

• erythrocytes;
• MHC indicators (average hemoglobin content in erythrocyte),
• MCV (mean erythrocyte volume);
• MCHS (average concentration of hemoglobin in an erythrocyte).

Additionally, a biochemical blood test is performed with the determination of direct and indirect bilirubin, calculation of the concentration of vitamin B12, iron, iron-binding capacity of serum and others indicators. Such a blood test allows you to establish the type of anemia and prescribe the necessary treatment, the tactics of which may be different for one reason or another of an insufficient level of hemoglobin in the blood.

Treatment methods

Treatment for anemia varies greatly depending on its cause and severity. Iron deficiency anemia is treated with diet and iron supplementation. If vitamin B 12 or folate deficiency is the cause of the anemia, supplementation is necessary.

When anemia is caused by a chronic illness, medications for the underlying condition are used to treat the anemia. For example, if a protein deficiency is caused by chronic kidney disease, the hormone erythropoietin may be required. Anemia caused by autoimmune causes is treated with corticosteroids.

People with severe anemia may need a blood transfusion, bone marrow transplant, plasmapheresis (a blood plasma exchange procedure), or removal of the spleen.

Drug therapy

Hemoglobin 116 in women may be a sign of iron deficiency. The mainstay of treatment for iron deficiency anemia is taking medications, most often orally. For better absorption, combined preparations with vitamin C are prescribed. Most of the available glandular medications are best taken on an empty stomach.

An increase in hemoglobin of about 2 g / dL occurs within about 3 weeks after starting treatment. The drugs should be used for at least 4-6 months after the hemoglobin level is restored, because initially the body "regularly" uses the supplied iron to produce blood cells. Only after a few weeks the pool of "reserves" of iron is replenished.

It is important to remember that excess iron can cause hemochromatosis, which leads to liver disease and side symptoms such as constipation, nausea, and vomiting.

The therapeutic dose of the drug is prescribed individually at the rate of 2 mg / kg of the patient's body weight. As a rule, it is 100-200 mg, less often - 300 mg per day.

Iron preparations for oral administration

Hemofer Prolongatum	Antianemic agent, including ferrous sulfate. Tablets, weight 325 mg, which is equivalent to 105 mg Fe2 +.
Ferronal	The basis is iron gluconate. Tablets 300 mg, equivalent to 35 mg Fe2 +.
Heferol	The drug is based on fumaric acid. It is produced in the form of capsules of 350 mg, which is equivalent to 100 mg of Fe2 +.

Iron preparations for parenteral administration

Venofer	Iron (III) hydroxide sucrose complex 540 mg, which corresponds to an iron content of 20 mg. It is produced in the form of a solution for injection in ampoules of 5 ml. Introduced in / in.
Ferbitol	Homeopathic remedy, available for intramuscular injections of 1 ml. 1 ml of solution is introduced, which is equivalent to 50 mg of Fe2 +.
Preparations containing folic acid, B vitamins
Gemsineral-TD	Effective treatment of anemia, available in the form of microgranules of iron fumarate, folic acid, cyanocobalamin. The capsules contain 67 mg of elemental iron.
Gyno-Tardiferon	Ferrous sulfate + folic and ascorbic acid, mucoprotein. One tablet is equivalent to 80 mg Fe2 +.
Globiron	A syrup containing iron fumarate, vitamins B6, B12, folic acid, sodium docusate. Also available in the form of 300 mg gelatin capsules, which is equivalent to 100 mg Fe2 +.

Additional drugs

Some patients are prescribed additional medications or supplements:

• 20-25 mg iron / day to stimulate hematin production.
• 400 mcg of folate daily as it increases the production of red blood cells, which carry hemoglobin.
• 50-100 mcg of vitamin B6 / day to increase red blood cell production.
• 50-100 mg of vitamin B12 / day as it improves red blood cell count.
• 1,000 mg of vitamin C per day to improve red blood cell production.

Hemoglobin 116 g / l is not critical, therefore, in this case, women are not always offered medications, but it is advised to add certain foods to the diet that raise the level of minerals and vitamins.

Diet therapy

Many animal products, fish, contain heme iron, which is more easily absorbed by the intestines:

• lean red meat;
• Turkey;
• chicken;
• fish: tuna, cod, salmon.

With iron deficiency

Iron of plant origin, which is found in cereals, legumes and vegetables, which is not associated with hemoglobin, is less absorbed.

For maximum absorption of the mineral, experts recommend taking it along with other foods:

• Vitamin C present in citrus fruits, grapes, kiwi, peppers, tomatoes, cabbage, broccoli, lettuce. So, when preparing pasta and broccoli, they should be seasoned with lemon, and fruit salad with lemon or orange juice.
• Cysteine, found in meat and fish, is able to absorb 2 or 3 times more non-heme iron found in vegetables. Therefore, the main course of meat should be served with a vegetable side dish.
• Vitamin A found in cod liver, animal liver, carrots, pumpkin, yellow-orange and bright green fruits and vegetables, egg yolk, butter, cheeses. Combining spinach with legumes (rich in copper), lemon juice, or citrus and kiwi juices (rich in vitamin C) will be very beneficial.
• Also welcome using aromatic herbs to season meat and fish, which are not only natural sources of iron, but also stimulators of gastric secretion, helping to maintain high acidity in the gastric environment.

On the other hand, there are food combinations that are best avoided as they do not promote iron absorption.

Experts recommend taking with caution:

• Food iron with tannins, widespread in tea, coffee, chocolate, wine.
• Consumption of excess fiber found in whole grains is also contraindicated.
• Iron and calcium in one meal. It is not advisable to consume, for example, bread and cheese.

With vitamin B12 deficiency

Hemoglobin 116 in women can be increased with an increase in the daily requirement for vitamin B12. To do this, it is enough to drink a portion of milk or yogurt in the morning, and during the day - a portion of your choice, eggs, fish or meat.

In the case of a deficiency of folic acid, you can include in the menu foods that contain a lot of acid: broccoli, legumes, wheat germ, liver.

It should be borne in mind that most folate (10 to 50%) can be lost during food preparation or industrial storage, so supplementation in tablet form may be required.

The hemoglobin level slightly below normal (116 g / l) is generally not a cause for concern. But dropping to a critical level puts a woman at risk for a heart attack, heart failure, or stroke. Regularly checking your oxygen saturation levels can help identify early warning signs of potential problems your body may be facing.

Video about the norm of hemoglobin

Hemoglobin is the norm for women and men: