Why is hemoglobin important? What can be done to improve it?

My haemoglobin levels are very low. How do I increase it?

Haemoglobin is a very essential component of your blood. Its main function is to help carry oxygen from your lungs to the cells of your organs. This provides the cell with energy to perform their functions optimally. A low haemoglobin level can also lead to extreme fatigue, bruising easily, fainting spells and in some cases lack of blood clotting. Usually a low hemoglobin count is due to deficiency in iron, however, there my be other reasons for it too, like excessive dieting, living an unhealthy lifestyle, some diseases and cancers. It is essential that you visit a doctor to get a more accurate diagnosis of the cause.

If your low haemoglobin level is due to an iron-deficient diet, you can eat a diet which consists of dark green leafy vegetables like palak, methi. Increase your intake of beans, dry fruits, green peas. If you are a non-vegetarian, eat more of eggs, chicken, fish and red meat (mutton). But do remember that for absorbing the iron present in these, you need an ample amount of vitamin C in your diet as well. For this, you need to include more lemon, oranges, sweet lime, mangoes, tomatoes, strawberries in your diet. If these do not work and/or your hemoglobin level is still very low, your doctor might prescribe iron supplements as a capsules or tonic.

Please do visit your doctor regularly for monitoring your your haemoglobin levels. You will need to undergo a simple blood test where your finger will be pricked with a needle and a drop of blood is taken and tested. Alternatively you may need to have a CBC or complete blood count test done for a more clear diagnosis.

Read more about causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of anemia.

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