Anemia: Hemoglobin Ranges and Where Labels Mention It
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[Glossary · How doses act in the body]

Anemia

Also called anaemia, low hemoglobin, low red blood cell count, iron-deficiency anemia · Reviewed

Definition: Anemia is a condition in which the blood has fewer healthy red blood cells, or less hemoglobin, than normal, so the body gets less oxygen. NHLBI says it can cause tiredness, weakness, shortness of breath, dizziness and headaches. The most common type is iron-deficiency anemia, and it can also come from low vitamin B12, kidney disease, bleeding or some medicines.

The numbers on a blood count

Normal adult ranges from NHLBI (they vary with altitude and other factors)
TestMenWomen
Hemoglobin14 to 17 g/dL12 to 15 g/dL
Hematocrit41% to 50%36% to 44%

These come from a complete blood count (CBC), the same test used to watch hematocrit on testosterone, where the concern is the opposite, too many red cells (polycythemia).

Labels that mention it

Epogen, an erythropoiesis-stimulating agent, is approved to treat anemia from chronic kidney disease, from zidovudine in HIV, and from some chemotherapy. Its boxed warning says that in kidney disease, aiming for a hemoglobin above 11 g/dL raised the risk of death, serious heart events and stroke, so the lowest dose that avoids transfusions is used. NIDDK lists anemia among CKD complications.

Why it matters for your log

Hemoglobin and hematocrit move slowly. Keeping each CBC with its date, and notes such as heavy periods, blood donation or new tiredness, helps show whether a change is a trend or a one-off.

Read more on Dose Track: Testosterone and anemia · Epogen side effects · Epoetin alfa guide · Iron guide

General education drawn from labels and published studies, not personal medical advice. Your prescriber, pharmacist and the label that came with your product are the final word.
HematocritHematocrit is the percentage of your blood volume made up of red blood cells. A result of 45 means about… PolycythemiaPolycythemia means too many red blood cells, so the blood is thicker than normal. Testosterone labels list… Erythropoiesis-stimulating agentAn erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) is a drug that tells the bone marrow to make more red blood… Chronic kidney diseaseChronic kidney disease (CKD) means the kidneys are damaged and slowly lose the ability to filter waste and… Boxed warningA boxed warning is a warning printed inside a border at the top of a US prescription drug label. FDA uses…

Frequently asked questions

What hemoglobin level means anemia?+
NHLBI gives normal adult hemoglobin as 14 to 17 g/dL for men and 12 to 15 g/dL for women. Results below the range may be a sign of anemia, and a clinician reads them with other results.
What is the most common type of anemia?+
NHLBI says iron-deficiency anemia is the most common type.

Sources

  1. NHLBI (NIH): What is anemia?
  2. NHLBI (NIH): Anemia diagnosis
  3. NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms: anemia
  4. Epogen (epoetin alfa) US prescribing information, DailyMed
  5. NIDDK (NIH): What is chronic kidney disease?

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