Mice_Elf

What exactly does this mean and are there any consequences of it being high? Subject is late 50s, male, doesn't smoke at all, drinks the occasional shandy / beer of a weekend (2 maximum) and is fairly overweight. 6'2", around 17 stone.

What causes high haemoglobin and can we reduce it at all?

He's been to the Doctor, which is how he knows that he has this, but didn't ask what it meant or how to reduce. Can't find anything conclusive on Google, except that it can cause abnormalities in pregnancies...

Doctor says it's on the high side, but not abnormally high and isn't taking it any further.

Anything we can do or just ignore it?

David Lock

He hasn't lived overseas at altitude has he?

Haemoglobin increases to take account of lower air pressure and thus less oxygen getting to the lungs. DL

Mice_Elf

Not really, no. He used to drive over the mountains fairly regularly - twice a week / 10 days during summer months, but has never permanently lived at altitude.

ajm

If the doctor isn't worried then I don't suppose the patient should be either. I'm not a quack, but I think the only thing too much (as in abnormally high) haemoglobin can cause is blood clot related illness like strokes, worst case scenario.

If it is higher than average, but still in the acceptable range, then I can;t see cause for concern. At least he won't be anaemic!

Seriously though, phone the doctor if you have any questions!

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

Unless he said he was a Hobgoblin and he mis-heard ?

john banks

Could the subject have been dehydrated when the blood test was performed?

An obese subject who does not smoke could develop chronic hypoxia resulting in raised Hb. Weight loss would assist. However, the subject mentioned is "only" on the border of obesity with a body mass index of 30kg/m2.

Mice_Elf

What's hypoxia, please?

He might well have ben dehydrated as he doesn't drink water - only tea or coffee and occasionally squash.

john banks

Low oxygen.

ScoobXpress

As with most blood tests there is a 'normal range' and it may just be that he's at the upper limit of normal (some-one has to be!).
Common causes are smoking, chest disease and obesity (and high altitude living). There is a rarer cause of a high Hb called Polycythaemia Rubra Vera, which is potentially serious, though treatable... I'd very much doubt it's this though as his doctor would have been more concerned and arranged further tests...
Hope that's reassuring, but if in doubt speak again with the doc, I'm sure he wouldn't mind explaining.