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(GIST OF SCIENCE REPORTER) Haemoglobin (Hb)
(GIST OF SCIENCE REPORTER) Haemoglobin (Hb)
(October-2023)
Haemoglobin (Hb)
- A recent discovery has revealed that haemoglobin isn’t used by red blood cells (RBCs) alone.
About Haemoglobin (Hb):
- It is an iron-containing protein found in the red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the body’s tissues and returns carbon dioxide from the tissues back to the lungs.
- It is made up of four protein molecules (globulin chains) that are connected together.
- Haemoglobin forms an unstable, reversible bond with oxygen. In the oxygenated state, it is called oxyhemoglobin and is bright red; in the reduced state, it is purplish blue.
- It also plays an important role in maintaining the shape of the RBCs. In their natural shape, RBCs are round with narrow centers resembling a donut without a hole in the middle. Abnormal haemoglobin structure can, therefore, disrupt the shape of RBCs and impede their function and flow through blood vessels.
- Haemoglobin levels vary from person to person. Men usually have higher levels than women.
What does a low haemoglobin level mean?
- A low haemoglobin level is referred to as anemia or low red blood count.
- A lower than normal number of RBCs is referred to as anemia and haemoglobin levels reflect this number.
Some of the more common causes of anemia are:
- loss of blood (traumatic injury, surgery, bleeding, colon cancer, or stomach ulcer),
- nutritional deficiency (iron, vitamin B12, folate),
- bone marrow problems (replacement of bone marrow by cancer),
- suppression by red blood cell synthesis by chemotherapy drugs,
- kidney failure, and
- abnormal haemoglobin structure (sickle cell anemia or thalassemia).
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Courtesy: Science Reporter