Elevated Hemoglobin

Hemoglobin is an iron-rich protein that gives red blood cells their color. It transports oxygen from the lungs to other organs. Elevated hemoglobin counts, detectable through a blood test, are associated with various ailments.

Causes

• Conditions that lead to elevated hemoglobin counts include heart failure, kidney diseases and cancer. Lung diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema also result in high hemoglobin, as do blood disorders such as polycythemia vera. Dehydration can result in falsely high hemoglobin counts.

  Elevated hemoglobin also tends to occur in people living at high altitudes as the body attempts to compensate for the lower concentrations of oxygen in the air. The use of anabolic steroids and smoking can also elevate hemoglobin counts.

Risks and Symptoms

• Too much hemoglobin can cause the blood to become thick and gelatinous, resulting in impaired circulation and reduced oxygen distribution to tissues and organs. Symptoms of severely elevated hemoglobin include impaired mental function and bluish discoloration of the extremities known as peripheral cyanosis.

Treatment

• Elevated hemoglobin is symptomatic of a disease or condition, therefore treatment consists of identifying and addressing the underlying cause.