Hemoglobin (Hb%)

About The Test

Hemoglobin is an iron-rich protein found in red blood cells that gives red blood cells their unique red color. It is primarily responsible for carrying oxygen from your lungs to the rest of the cells in the tissues and organs of your body.

A hemoglobin test is often used to detect anemia, which is a deficiency of red blood cells that can have diverse health effects. While hemoglobin can be tested on its own is more often tested as part of a complete blood count (CBC) test that also measures levels of other types of blood cells.

A hemoglobin test is used to find out how much hemoglobin is in your blood. It is most often used to determine if you have low levels of red blood cells, which is a condition known as anemia.

In addition to identifying anemia, a hemoglobin test can be involved in the diagnosis of other health problems like liver and kidney disease, blood disorders, malnutrition, some kinds of cancer, and heart and lung conditions.

For people who have been treated for anemia or other conditions that can affect hemoglobin levels, a hemoglobin test may be ordered in order to check their response to treatment and monitor the progression of their overall health.