So your doctor just told you your haemoglobin concentration is high. And now you're sitting there wondering if this is serious or no big deal. Let's cut through the confusion together. I remember when my hiking buddy Dave got this news – he panicked and Googled until 3AM reading horror stories. Don't do that. We'll walk through this step by step with actual useful info, not medical jargon.
What Haemoglobin Does (And Why High Levels Matter)
Haemoglobin's job is simple but crucial: it carries oxygen in your red blood cells. When haemoglobin concentration runs high, your blood gets thicker. Think of maple syrup vs water – thicker fluid flows slower. That's where problems start.
Key reality check: Mild elevation might just mean you're dehydrated after that intense workout. But sustained high haemoglobin concentration? That needs attention.
Normal vs High Haemoglobin Ranges
| Group | Normal Range (g/dL) | High Haemoglobin Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Adult Men | 13.5 - 17.5 | > 17.5 g/dL |
| Adult Women | 12.0 - 15.5 | > 15.5 g/dL |
| Children (10-15yrs) | 11.5 - 15.5 | > 16.0 g/dL |
| Smokers | +0.5 - 1.0 above normal | Varies by baseline |
Why Your Haemoglobin Might Be Elevated
From my nursing days, I saw three main categories of causes:
| Category | Common Causes | How It Happens |
|---|---|---|
| Your Body Making Too Many Red Cells | Polycythemia vera (bone marrow disorder) Genetic factors Testosterone therapy |
Bone marrow overproduces red blood cells |
| Your Blood Getting Concentrated | Dehydration Diuretics (water pills) Severe burns |
Plasma volume decreases, haemoglobin concentration rises relatively |
| Compensation for Low Oxygen | Smoking COPD Living at high altitude Sleep apnea |
Body makes more red cells to capture scarce oxygen |
Funny story – last year my cousin moved from Florida to Denver. His haemoglobin shot up 2 points in 3 months. High altitude adaptation! But his doctor still monitored him closely.
Red flag: If you have persistently high haemoglobin concentration AND symptoms like itching after hot showers or night sweats? Push your doctor to check for polycythemia vera. Too many people ignore this.
Signs You Might Notice
Some folks feel perfectly fine with elevated haemoglobin concentration. Others get hit with symptoms like:
- Headaches that feel different from normal tension headaches (more pounding, less squeezing)
- Dizziness when standing up too fast
- Blurry vision or "seeing spots" occasionally
- Ruddy complexion – like constant mild sunburn
- That weird itching, especially after showers
- Joint pain, particularly in the thumbs and big toes
I had a patient describe it as "feeling like my blood is too loud in my ears." Strange but accurate description.
When High Haemoglobin Concentration Becomes Dangerous
It's all about viscosity. Blood thickness determines risk:
| Haemoglobin Level | Potential Complications | Action Needed |
|---|---|---|
| 17-18 g/dL (men) 15-16 g/dL (women) |
Minimal risk if no symptoms | Monitor every 6 months |
| 18-19 g/dL (men) 16-17 g/dL (women) |
Increased clotting risk Possible headaches |
Investigate cause Consider hydration therapy |
| >19 g/dL (men) >17 g/dL (women) |
High stroke risk Organ damage possible |
Immediate treatment Often requires phlebotomy |
Getting Properly Tested
If your routine blood work shows high haemoglobin concentration, don't accept that as final. Demand these follow-up tests:
- Complete Blood Count (CBC) with differential - Checks other blood components
- Erythropoietin (EPO) level - Hormone that stimulates red cell production
- JAK2 mutation test - For polycythemia vera diagnosis
- Oxygen saturation - Pulse oximetry while awake and sleeping
Pro tip: Schedule blood draws for early morning. Haemoglobin levels can dip slightly later in the day. And hydrate normally – going in dehydrated artificially inflates your numbers.
Treatment Options That Actually Work
What happens next depends entirely on why your haemoglobin concentration is high:
For Mild Elevations (No Symptoms)
- Hydration strategy: Aim for 2-3 liters daily. Add electrolytes if you sweat heavily
- Smoking cessation: Within 6 months, most smokers see levels drop 5-10%
- Altitude adjustment: If you recently moved high up, give it 4-6 months to stabilize
For Moderate to Severe Cases
| Treatment | How It Works | Frequency/Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Therapeutic Phlebotomy | Removes 1 unit of blood (like donating blood) | $150-400 per session Monthly initially |
| Low-Dose Aspirin | Thins blood to prevent clots | Daily $10/month |
| Hydroxyurea | Suppresses bone marrow production | Daily pill $100-$300/month |
| CPAP for Sleep Apnea | Improves oxygen so body stops overcompensating | Nightly use Insurance usually covers |
Honestly? The phlebotomy cost annoys me. Why isn't this covered like blood donation? But it works fast – most folks feel better within 48 hours.
Diet and Lifestyle Tweaks
While you can't "diet away" truly high haemoglobin concentration, these help manage it:
Foods to embrace: Cucumber, watermelon, celery (high water content), fatty fish (natural blood thinners), garlic and onions (improve circulation)
Limit aggressively: Iron-rich red meat, iron-fortified cereals, alcohol (dehydrates), high-sodium foods (increase blood volume)
Exercise tip: Go for regular, moderate sessions. Intense bursts can further thicken blood temporarily. And hydration during workouts isn't optional – bring that water bottle.
Answering Your Top Questions
Can high haemoglobin concentration cause heart attacks?
Indirectly yes. Thick blood increases clot risk. One study showed men with haemoglobin >17 g/dL had 2.3x higher heart attack risk. But good management reduces this.
Is donating blood the same as therapeutic phlebotomy?
Similar procedure, but different goals. Blood donation helps others first. Therapeutic phlebotomy prioritizes your health and may remove blood more frequently than donation allows.
Will high haemoglobin make me tired?
Counterintuitively yes – thick blood flows slower so less oxygen reaches tissues despite more haemoglobin. Many report fatigue improving after treatment.
Can supplements help lower haemoglobin?
No magic pills exist. But fish oil (1-2g/day) may improve blood flow. Avoid iron supplements unless proven deficient. Vitamin E in food sources (not supplements) shows mild benefit.
When to Worry (And When Not To)
Panic-worthy:
- Chest pain with haemoglobin >18 g/dL
- Severe headaches with vision changes
- Unexplained bleeding from nose/gums
Probably not serious:
- Slight elevation on single test
- No symptoms with levels just above normal
- Known cause like recent high-altitude travel
Track your numbers in a simple log:
| Date | Haemoglobin (g/dL) | Notes (hydration, symptoms) |
|---|---|---|
| Sample: 04/15/2024 | 17.2 | Forgot water bottle, headache PM |
| Sample: 05/02/2024 | 16.4 | Drank 3L water, felt better |
Putting It All Together
A high haemoglobin concentration reading isn't a diagnosis – it's a starting point. Your next steps:
- Verify with repeat testing under proper conditions
- Investigate root causes with targeted diagnostics
- Personalize treatment based on your numbers and symptoms
Most importantly? Don't let anxiety take over. With modern approaches, even persistently high haemoglobin concentration is manageable. My friend Dave – the panicked Googler? His levels normalized after treating sleep apnea. Now he just complains about wearing his CPAP mask!
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