Haemoglobin (Hb)

Last updated: Thursday, 01, April, 2004

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Item Process
Specimen

5 mL blood in EDTA.

2 mL blood in special paediatric EDTA tube.

Method

Part of FBC; automated analyser or haemoglobinometer.

Most methods based on spectrophotometry.

Reference Interval

Infant
term (cord blood): 135-195 g/L
3-6 months: 95-135 g/L

Child
1 year: 105-135 g/L
3-6 years: 105-140 g/L
10-12 years: 115-145 g/L

Adult  female: 115-165 g/L
Adult male: 130-180 g/L 

ApplicationSuspected anaemia or erythrocytosis.
Interpretation

Anaemia is defined as a Hb below normal for age and gender.

Further investigation of the cause of anaemia is guided by clinical features, blood film and red cell indices (MCV, MCH, MCHC).

The Hb is elevated in erythrocytosis.

ReferenceBain BJ. Blood Cells - a Practical Guide. 2nd ed. Blackwell Science 1995.