What is Hemoglobin?

Hemoglobin plays a very important role in oxygen transportation. When the lungs have finished oxygenating blood, hemoglobin carries that oxygen to all the tissues of the body. Then, as it passes through those tissues it picks up all the CO2, which is then transported back to the lungs to be exhaled out of the body.

Hemoglobin is protein that is found in red blood cells. When the hemoglobin is carrying lots of oxygen, it appears bright red. Low levels of hemoglobin can be a sign of cancer, blood loss or kidney failure. High levels of hemoglobin could mean lung disease, tumor growth or dehydration.

Normal Value Range

  • Negative Pregnancy Adult: 12 to 15.8 g/dL or 120 to 158 g/L
  • Pregnancy Trimester One: 11.6 to 13.9 g/dL or 116 to 139 g/L
  • Pregnancy Trimester Two: 9.7 to 14.8 g/dL or 97 to 148 g/L
  • Pregnancy Trimester Three: 9.5 to 15 g/dL or 95 to 150 g/L

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