Hemoglobin
Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. The hemoglobin test measures how much hemoglobin is in your blood.
Why the Test is Performed
The hemoglobin test is a common test and is almost always done as part of a complete blood count (CBC). Reasons or conditions for ordering the hemoglobin test include:
1. Symptoms such as fatigue, poor health, or unexplained weight loss
2. Signs of bleeding
3. Before and after major surgery
4. During pregnancy
5. Chronic kidney disease or many other chronic medical problems
6. Monitoring of anemia and its cause
7. Monitoring during treatment for cancer
8. Monitoring medicines that may cause anemia or low blood counts
