Hemoglobin is a measurement of the amount of red blood cells present in blood. Hemoglobin carries oxygen to the cells of the body, and the waste product carbon dioxide to the lungs for removal from the body. Low levels are seen in people with anemia, excessive bleeding, SLE, disease of the spleen, kidney disease, or cancers. High blood levels are seen in people with emphysema, extensive burns, dehydration, congestive heart failure, or in those who are living at high altitudes. Hemoglobin levels are rarely run alone, but usually run as part of Complete Blood Count (CBC). There are many drugs that can affect hemoglobin levels.
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