High Hemoglobin: Causes, Symptoms & What to Do

Hemoglobin is a protein in your red blood cells. It is responsible for carrying oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body, and carbon dioxide from your body to your lungs. Your doctor can give you a simple blood test to determine your hemoglobin count. A high count can be due to a number of causes, many of which are quite serious. A doctor should investigate why your counts are high.

Bone Marrow

• If your bone marrow is not functioning properly, your hemoglobin count may be elevated.

Kidney Trouble

• If your kidneys release too much erythropoietin, a protein, your body will begin to produce more hemoglobin. Erythropoietin is also a drug that athletes use to enhance performance.

Lung Disease

• People who smoke or are suffering from emphysema and other serious lung diseases often have high hemoglobin counts.

Heart Trouble

• In some cases, the human body begins producing extra hemoglobin to compensate for a weakened heart.

Tumors

• The presence of a tumor might stimulate your body to produce extra hemoglobin.

High Elevation

• People who live at high altitudes often have higher-than-normal hemoglobin counts.