Difference between revisions of "Anemia"
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==Low Hb level== | ==Low Hb level== | ||
When we talk about anemia in this article, we talk about the type of anemia in which the level of Hb in the blood is lower than normal. There are multiple possible causes (and therefore multiple possible solutions). | When we talk about anemia in this article, we talk about the type of anemia in which the level of Hb in the blood is lower than normal. There are multiple possible causes (and therefore multiple possible solutions). | ||
| − | * Low serum iron | + | * Low serum iron; if there is too little iron available, too little new Hb molecules are produced |
* | * | ||
==Hemoglobin== | ==Hemoglobin== | ||
Hemoglobin (Hb) is a iron-containing protein in the blood. Hb transports oxygen (and some other gasses, such as CO<sub>2</sub> and nitric oxide) to all your organs. Organs need oxygen to make use of nutrients (including energy) through oxidation. A lower level of Hb may therefore lead to a (relative) lack of oxygen in various organs. | Hemoglobin (Hb) is a iron-containing protein in the blood. Hb transports oxygen (and some other gasses, such as CO<sub>2</sub> and nitric oxide) to all your organs. Organs need oxygen to make use of nutrients (including energy) through oxidation. A lower level of Hb may therefore lead to a (relative) lack of oxygen in various organs. | ||
Revision as of 18:59, 5 February 2014
Anemia may mean two things:
- A decreased level of Hb (hemoglobin) in the blood, in absolute numbers. This may be because the level of Hb in the red blood cells is low, or because the level of red blood cells (which contain all the Hb in the blood) is low.
- A decreased capacity of each Hb molecule to bind oxygen, due to a deformity.
Low Hb level
When we talk about anemia in this article, we talk about the type of anemia in which the level of Hb in the blood is lower than normal. There are multiple possible causes (and therefore multiple possible solutions).
- Low serum iron; if there is too little iron available, too little new Hb molecules are produced
Hemoglobin
Hemoglobin (Hb) is a iron-containing protein in the blood. Hb transports oxygen (and some other gasses, such as CO2 and nitric oxide) to all your organs. Organs need oxygen to make use of nutrients (including energy) through oxidation. A lower level of Hb may therefore lead to a (relative) lack of oxygen in various organs.
