An altered hemoglobin level is often a sign of disease.
Without the right amount, your body may not have enough energy to function optimally.
A blood test that measures hemoglobin is part of a routine check-up.
Verywell / JR Bee
Your healthcare providers might also order a hemoglobin test for you if they are concerned about your health.
A hemoglobin test is also part of the standard comprehensive newborn screening.
But there are times when healthcare providers may order this test for a more specific reason.
Risks and Contraindications
You will have your blood collected for your hemoglobin test.
There very few risks to this procedure.
If you tend to get squeamish around blood or needles, you may feel dizzy or lightheaded.
Timing
The process of taking a sample of your blood normally takes less than five minutes.
However, you oughta allot at least an hour for the test.
What to Wear
You don’t need to wear anything special for a hemoglobin test.
Avoid tight shirt sleeves since you’ll need to roll up your sleeve to have your blood collected.
see if you will be required to pay a co-pay or a deductible.
During the Test
Your blood will be drawn by a nurse or a phlebotomist.
The sample is then sent to a lab for processing.
(Many choose their non-dominant arm in case soreness results.)
They will find a vein from which to collect blood, possibly inside the crease of your elbow.
You will have a tourniquet tied above the vein.
You may feel a small poke, possibly with mild discomfort and/or pain.
Your nurse or phlebotomist will take off the tourniquet before removing the needle from your arm.
Then they will press gauze over the puncture site to stop bleeding and apply a bandage.
There are also finger-prick tests available for measuring hemoglobin in adults.
You may feel a sharp poke, but it only lasts for a second.
Results of a typical blood draw for a hemoglobin test will be ready within a day or two.
If your hemoglobin is being measured as part of a CBC, yourRBC countandhematocrit levelwill be available as well.
What Do Low Hemoglobin Levels Mean?
Iron deficiency is the most common cause of low hemoglobin levels.
In this case, you should expect it to normalize after a few weeks.
What Do High Hemoglobin Levels Mean?
A Word From Verywell
Hemoglobin levels are a helpful indicator of a number of medical issues.
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