Low Hemoglobin Causes, Symptoms and More
- 1. 'Hemoglobin Test.' Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 9 Oct. 2019, www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/hemoglobin-test/about/pac-20385075.
- 2. 'Low Hemoglobin Count.' Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 22 Sept. 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/low-hemoglobin/basics/definition/sym-20050760.
- 3. 'Iron Deficiency Anemia.' Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 18 Oct. 2019, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/iron-deficiency-anemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355034.
- 4. 'Vitamin Deficiency Anemia.' Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 10 Dec. 2019, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vitamin-deficiency-anemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355025.
- 5. 'Hemolysis: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia.' MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002372.htm.
- 6. 'Low Hemoglobin: Causes & Symptoms.' Cleveland Clinic, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/17705-low-hemoglobin.
- 7. 'Low Red Blood Cell Counts (Anemia).' American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/physical-side-effects/low-blood-counts/anemia.html.
- 8. 'Iron-Deficiency Anemia.' National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/iron-deficiency-anemia.
- 9. 'Iron-Deficiency Anemia.' Johns Hopkins Medicine, www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/irondeficiency-anemia.
- 10. 'Anemia.' Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 16 Aug. 2019, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anemia/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351366.
- 11. 'Anemia.' Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 16 Aug. 2019, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20351360.
2. Low Hemoglobin Levels Due to High Levels of Red Blood Cell Destruction
The normal lifespan of red blood cells is 110 to 120 days. After that, they break down, the spleen removes them from the circulatory system and new red blood cells replace them.5‘Hemolysis: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia.’ MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002372.htm. In some cases, the body destroys red blood cells more quickly than it produces them. This can occur if the spleen is enlarged.
Inherited blood disorders may also cause the destruction of too many red blood cells in the body. These disorders include thalassemia, sickle cell anemia and porphyria.2‘Low Hemoglobin Count.’ Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 22 Sept. 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/low-hemoglobin/basics/definition/sym-20050760.
Advertisement