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Hematology

Hemoglobin

The oxygen-carrying protein inside your red blood cells.

Unit g/dLTypical adult range 13–17 g/dL
What it is

The oxygen-carrying protein inside your red blood cells.

Why it matters

It is the number that defines anemia, and a low value explains a great deal of otherwise unexplained fatigue and breathlessness.

Reading the number

Normal ranges differ by sex and by altitude. Dehydration concentrates the blood and can hide a mild anemia behind a normal-looking value.

What moves it
hydrationaltitudepregnancyrecent blood donationmenstrual losses
Read alongside
HematocritMean corpuscular volumeFerritinRed cell distribution widthVitamin B12Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentrationPlateletsBilirubin (total)
When to raise it

Worth mentioning a fall of more than about a gram between tests.

Tracking only, not a diagnosis. The range above is a typical adult reference range — the range printed by the lab that ran your test is the one that applies to you. Discuss anything that concerns you with your doctor.

Also known as

On a report in another language.

A lab report names this analyte in its own language. Vitals Vault recognises each of these and files them all under Hemoglobin.

HemoglobinaHemoglobiinHämoglobinHémoglobineHGBHb

Track your hemoglobin over time.

Hemoglobin is one of 165 analytes Vitals Vault charts over time. Import a lab report in any language and this number lands on a timeline only you can read.

Continue with Google
Tracking only. This app is not medical advice. Always discuss results and future analysis with your doctor.

Catalog entry last updated 2026-08-27. Browse all 165 metrics.