Mayo Clinic Health Manager
Get free personalized health guidance for you and your family.
Get Started
Mayo Clinic Housecall
Stay up to date on the latest health information.
What you get
- Free weekly e-newsletter
- Mayo Clinic expertise
- Recipes, tools and other helpful information
- We do not share your e-mail address
Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffHigh hemoglobin count indicates an above-average concentration of oxygen-carrying proteins in your blood. Hemoglobin (Hg or Hgb) is the main component of red blood cells. Hemoglobin count indicates your blood's oxygen-carrying capacity.
High hemoglobin count is somewhat different from high red blood cell count, because each cell may not have the same amount of hemoglobin proteins. Therefore, you could have a high hemoglobin count even if your red blood cell count falls within the normal range.
The threshold for high hemoglobin count is slightly different from one medical practice to another. It's generally defined as more than 17.5 grams (g) of hemoglobin per deciliter (dL) of blood for men and 15.5 g/dL for women. In children, the definition of high hemoglobin count varies with age and sex.
Causes
