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Serum hemoglobin is a test that measures the level of free hemoglobin in the liquid part of the blood (the serum). Free hemoglobin is the hemoglobin outside of the red blood cells. Most of the hemoglobin is found inside the red blood cells, not in the serum.
Alternative NamesBlood hemoglobin; Serum hemoglobin
How the test is performedBlood is typically drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). The health care provider wraps an elastic band around the upper arm to apply pressure to the area and make the vein swell with blood.
Next, the health care provider gently inserts a needle into the vein. The blood collects into an airtight vial or tube attached to the needle. The elastic band is removed from your arm. Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding.
In infants or young children, a sharp tool called a lancet may be used to puncture the skin and make it bleed. The blood collects into a small glass tube called a pipette, or onto a slide or test strip. A bandage may be placed over the area if there is any bleeding.
How to prepare for the testNo preparation is necessary.
How the test will feelWhen the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.
Why the test is performedHemoglobin (Hb) (the main component of red blood cells) is a protein that carries oxygen away from the lungs to the body tissues. This test is done to diagnose or monitor the severity of various kinds of hemolytic anemia -- a low red blood cell count caused by the abnormal breakdown of red blood cells.
Normal Values- Females 12.3-15.3 g/dL
- Males 14.0-17.5 g/dL
Note: g/dL = grams per deciliter
What abnormal results meanElevated levels may indicate:
- Drug-induced immune hemolytic anemia
- G6PD deficiency
- Hemoglobin C disease
- Hereditary spherocytosis
- Idiopathic autoimmune hemolytic anemia
- Paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria (PCH)
- Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH)
- Sickle cell anemia
- Thalassemia
- Transfusion reaction
Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.
Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:
- Excessive bleeding
- Fainting or feeling light-headed
- Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
- Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
Zuckerman KS. Approach to the anemias. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 162.
Marks PW, Glader B. Approach to Anemia in the Adult and Child. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ, Shattil SS, et al, eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2008:chap 34.
Serum hemoglobin is a measure of the amount of hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen, in the liquid component of blood. It is often used as a marker to assess an individual's iron status and diagnose anemia. Normal levels vary by age, sex, and other factors.
Serum hemoglobin is a test that measures the level of free hemoglobin in the liquid part of the blood (the serum). Free hemoglobin is the hemoglobin outside of the red blood cells. Most of the hemoglobin is found inside the red blood cells, not in the serum.
Alternative NamesBlood hemoglobin; Serum hemoglobin
How the test is performedBlood is typically drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). The health care provider wraps an elastic band around the upper arm to apply pressure to the area and make the vein swell with blood.
Next, the health care provider gently inserts a needle into the vein. The blood collects into an airtight vial or tube attached to the needle. The elastic band is removed from your arm. Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding.
In infants or young children, a sharp tool called a lancet may be used to puncture the skin and make it bleed. The blood collects into a small glass tube called a pipette, or onto a slide or test strip. A bandage may be placed over the area if there is any bleeding.
How to prepare for the testNo preparation is necessary.
How the test will feelWhen the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.
Why the test is performedHemoglobin (Hb) (the main component of red blood cells) is a protein that carries oxygen away from the lungs to the body tissues. This test is done to diagnose or monitor the severity of various kinds of hemolytic anemia -- a low red blood cell count caused by the abnormal breakdown of red blood cells.
Normal Values- Females 12.3–15.3 g/dL
- Males 14.0–17.5 g/dL
Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.
The examples above show the common measurements for results for these tests. Some laboratories use different measurements or may test different specimens.
Note: g/dL = grams per deciliter
What abnormal results meanElevated levels may indicate:
- Drug-induced immune hemolytic anemia
- G6PD deficiency
- Hemoglobin C disease
- Hereditary spherocytosis
- Idiopathic autoimmune hemolytic anemia
- Paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria (PCH)
- Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH)
- Sickle cell anemia
- Thalassemia
- Transfusion reaction
Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.
Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:
- Excessive bleeding
- Fainting or feeling light-headed
- Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
- Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
Zuckerman KS. Approach to the anemias. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 162.
Marks PW, Glader B. Approach to Anemia in the Adult and Child. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ, Shattil SS, et al, eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2008:chap 34.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 03/21/2010
Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; James R. Mason, MD, Oncologist, Director, Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program and Stem Cell Processing Lab, Scripps Clinic, Torrey Pines, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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What does it mean if the serum is red in the SST tube?
A red color in the serum of a serum separator tube (SST) may indicate hemolysis, which is the rupture of red blood cells and release of hemoglobin into the serum. Hemolysis can affect certain laboratory test results and may require a new blood sample to be collected for accurate testing.
Why does serum or plasma turn pink or red?
The pink or red color in serum or plasma can be due to the presence of hemolysis, which is the breakdown of red blood cells. Hemolysis can occur during the handling or processing of the blood sample, leading to the release of hemoglobin and giving the sample a pink or red hue. It can also be indicative of a medical condition such as hemolytic anemia or infection.
Which of the following laboratory tests would be abnormal for a patient with anemia?
Hemoglobin levels would be low in a patient with anemia. Additionally, hematocrit levels and red blood cell count would also be decreased in an individual with anemia. Iron studies, such as serum iron and ferritin levels, may also show abnormalities in cases of iron-deficiency anemia.
Which tube will yield serum?
A serum separator tube (SST) typically yields serum after centrifugation. It contains a gel barrier that separates the serum from the clot during the centrifugation process, allowing for easy collection of the serum layer.
Serum seperator tube?
A serum separator tube is a type of blood collection tube that contains a gel at the bottom to separate blood cells from serum during centrifugation. After spinning, the gel forms a barrier between the serum and the blood cells, making it easier to collect and analyze the serum for various tests.
Why low serum iron and iron saturation but normal hemoglobin and hematocrit?
waht is the sideeffects of low iron serum....
A low serum concentration of hemoglobin is most often associated with a deficiency of?
Iron.
Serum is described as hemolyzed in the presence of increased?
Lipids in a nonfasting patient
When you hemoglobin is leaking what color the serum is?
Hemolysis results when red blood cells are destroyed or damaged during collection and the hemoglobin and other intracellular components leak into the fluid portion of the specimen. This yields pink to red serum or plasma depending on the severity degree of hemolysis.
How are iron levels in the body measured?
Iron levels in the body are measured by both hemoglobin and serum ferritin blood tests.
What does it mean if the serum is red in the SST tube?
A red color in the serum of a serum separator tube (SST) may indicate hemolysis, which is the rupture of red blood cells and release of hemoglobin into the serum. Hemolysis can affect certain laboratory test results and may require a new blood sample to be collected for accurate testing.
What color does your skin turn when hemoglobin is low?
It highly depend on the circumstance. Some bacteria will destroy the hemoglobin, and thus the hemolyzed blood appears transparents, whereas other process will only destroy the hemoglobin wall and thus liberating the hemoglobin, which is then pale cherry roughly in color.
Does blood have protein?
yes there is protein in the blood in the form of albumin serum. albumin serum is protein which can symbolise general health of a person. Low albumin levels indicate infections, malignancies, tumours. high albumin serum indicate dehydration
Does low iron affect weight?
Having enough iron may help you lose weight as opposed to having low iron serum levels. Iron is essential to your body for making hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a transporter of oxygen in your body. So, the more iron, the more hemoglobin which will increase oxygen transport and thus the breakdown of complex sugars, which are carbohydrates. So, yes it can help boost your metabolism.
Will blood be red without hemoglobin?
No. The primary cause of the red color we associate with arterial blood is caused by the color of hemoglobin in its oxygen bound state. If I may speculate as to what color blood would be without hemoglobin, I would guess probably a rather light brown. I am basing that speculation on the the fact that serum (the cell-free, liquid component of blood) is a light brown color and that most cells are white-grey in color.
What is lacking antibodies of a specific type in serum?
Serum is serum
Plasma minus clotting proteins?
Plasma minus clotting proteins is called serum. Serum is the liquid portion of blood that remains after blood has clotted and the clotting factors have been removed. Serum is used in various medical tests to measure different components in the blood.
