High Hemoglobin Levels

 High Hemoglobin Levels

A hemoglobin level above 17.5 for males and 15.5 for females is considered high. That can be due to a variety of causes.

Causes

Your cells need oxygen to survive. Your body may make excess hemoglobin at times when it's struggling to get enough oxygen to your cells. More hemoglobin leads to better oxygen delivery.

You can also have a high hemoglobin level if your body makes too many red blood cells. It may do that due to disease. Some diseases trigger the extra production themselves, while some cause low levels that your body may try to compensate for.

High hemoglobin levels can also be caused by:

- Polycythemia vera (a condition that increases levels of all blood cells)

- Heart or lung disease

- Liver or kidney cancer

- Chronically low oxygen levels

- Smoking cigarettes

A low hemoglobin level commonly causes noticeable symptoms. They include:

Low energy

Sleepiness

Pale skin

Headaches

Dizziness

Very low hemoglobin can cause:

Tachycardia (rapid heart rate)

Hypotension (low blood pressure)

Dyspnea (trouble breathing)