Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Is Hemoglobin Count Of 13.0 A Cause For Concern?
Question: Iam a 73 year old male in generally very good health. I just got the results of my blood test for hemoglobin count. The count is 13.0. My Doctor says it is below 13.2. I still work 40 hours per week & am on my feet for a good 5 hours per day. Should I be concerned? I basically have no symptoms.
Brief Answer:
Information on what a Hgb of 13 means and what to do.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
Your hemoglobin is little low. Not a lot low - for men we like to see it be 13.5 or higher.
If you are having no symptoms of fatigue or light headedness, and if it is not a drop from previous records of hemoglobin levels for you, then you can just let it go. Also, providing your colonoscopy or stool tests for blood are negative.
If, however, there is any fatigue, light headedness, or this hemoglobin level is a change from past results, then I recommend your doctor look into it by ordering iron studies. These are labs of your iron levels and iron binding capacity, to see if there is any deficit.
In addition, if this is a significant drop from previous hemoglobin tests, a blood draw for "manual peripheral smear" can show whether your bone marrow is producing more immature red blood cells which can decrease your hemoglobin.
Finally, I mentioned about making sure there are no gastrointestinal problems as this can be a source for slow blood loss.
But - for the most part, a hemoglobin of 13 is still ok and not worrisome.
Information on what a Hgb of 13 means and what to do.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
Your hemoglobin is little low. Not a lot low - for men we like to see it be 13.5 or higher.
If you are having no symptoms of fatigue or light headedness, and if it is not a drop from previous records of hemoglobin levels for you, then you can just let it go. Also, providing your colonoscopy or stool tests for blood are negative.
If, however, there is any fatigue, light headedness, or this hemoglobin level is a change from past results, then I recommend your doctor look into it by ordering iron studies. These are labs of your iron levels and iron binding capacity, to see if there is any deficit.
In addition, if this is a significant drop from previous hemoglobin tests, a blood draw for "manual peripheral smear" can show whether your bone marrow is producing more immature red blood cells which can decrease your hemoglobin.
Finally, I mentioned about making sure there are no gastrointestinal problems as this can be a source for slow blood loss.
But - for the most part, a hemoglobin of 13 is still ok and not worrisome.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
