What are the symptoms under reduced hemoglobin

Hemoglobin is a vital element of blood provides transportation of oxygen from the respiratory organs to the tissues and systems of the body. Various factors can cause a decrease in hemoglobin levels, which affects overall health and wellbeing.

Symptoms of low hemoglobin

Reduction of hemoglobin in the blood and is manifested in different people in different ways.

In some cases, a decrease in hemoglobin may not be felt, the presence of abnormalities can be identified only after passing the blood test.

Most often the reduction of hemoglobin manifested fatigability, fatigue, drowsiness and weakness. This is due to the fact that iron deficiency leads to insufficient supply of oxygen to the internal organs and systems. As a result of exchange processes are slowed down, and the person lacks energy. In severe cases, when the hemoglobin level falls to a critical low, you may experience lethargy, depression of the immune system, infectious syndrome, digestive disorders. Dangerous decrease of hemoglobin, and this leads to stunted growth and development.


Prolonged deficiency of hemoglobin causes shortness of breath with movement (due to lack of oxygen), the blanching of the skin, puffiness of the face. Skin of such people becomes dry, in the corners of the mouth painful cracks appear, the hair falls out. Chronic hemolytic anemia is manifested by yellowness of the skin, mucous membranes and sclera of the eye. In these patients urine turns red or brown color, shows signs of gallstones may form trophic ulcers on the legs.

Norma hemoglobin in the blood is 120-140 g/l in women and 135-160 g/l in men.

If hemoglobin drops too much, possible fainting, dizziness, tinnitus and disorientation. This condition can also be accompanied by perversion of taste and smell preferences. This raises the appetite to such substances as chalk, coal, lime, paper. Man may be attracted by the smell of gasoline, kerosene and exhaust. Symptoms of low hemoglobin can also be complemented by a change of the nails that appear on their surface transverse or longitudinal stripes, the shape of the nails on the hands and feet becomes concave.

Consequences for the internal organs

If the hemoglobin level for a long period of time is low, the constant lack of oxygen without adequate treatment will inevitably lead to violations of functions of internal organs, primarily the heart, liver and kidneys. Symptoms of low hemoglobin can also be atrophy of the mucous membrane of the esophagus (the lack of oxygen leads to its drying) and pharynx, spasm of the initial part of the esophagus and other signs, which can only be detected by medical examination.