Hemoglobin is the protein molecule in 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.
• Composition:- Iron + 4 protein chains
• Metabolic limit- 34 g/dl
• Variations in Hb level
(1) Sex : Male – 16g/dl & Female 14g/dl (Menstruation lesser RBCs)
(2) Indian : lower than normal. Male – 12 g/dl, Female-10 g/dl (Anemia according to Allan & Girdwood)
(3) Population/ Ethnographic Variations
(a) Pearson et al and Owen’s study of nutritional state of Canadian population(Quebec).
- Male at 10-14 years : 13.5 g/dl
- Female at 10-14 years : 13.5 g/dl
- Male at 20 years : 15.3 g/dl
- Female at 20 years : 13.5g/dl
- Very high in Arabs due to iron rich diet such as dates and dry fruits.
- High in agricultural community due to vegetables.
- Low in pastoral community due to milk
(b) American Study:
- Prepuberty M-13.9 g/dl, F-13.8 g/dl
- After Puberty M-15 g/dl, F-13.3 g/dl
(c) Great Andamanese population(studied by Verma) both male & female are anaemics -30 %
(d) Chatopadhyay:- 50% Female anemic, No male anemic, children- male 57%, Female-62% anemic
(e) Pandey et al:- Oraon Tribe Anemia-60-74%
(4) Age : High in infant. Gradual increase up to about 30 year of age. Eg. America- high value maintained throughout life & starts to decrease only in old age.
Hypothesis of secular trend in HB level: Rise of HB level currently, even in primitives, is greater than the level prevalent in advanced societies several centuries ago. This trend is true of all ethnic groups.
Importance of HB Level Studies.
- (1) Anemia
- (2) Abnormal HB- sickle cell disease