HGB

Hemoglobin is the iron-containing oxygen transport protein inside red blood cells that carries oxygen from lungs to tissues and returns carbon dioxide to the lungs.
Also known as:
Hemoglobin
Hb
.

HGB ranges for

Interpret your result
"Normal" lab range for HGB is between 13 and 17.5 g/dL for males:
13
17.5
According to Peter Attia, HGB should be between 13.5 and 17.5 g/dL:
13.5
17.5
According to OptimalDX, HGB should be between 14 and 15 g/dL for males:
14
15
Optimal range
Optimal range for HGB appears to be between 14 and 16.5 g/dL for males:
8
13
14
16.5
17.5
19
Why this optimal range?
Preliminary range is based on functional health organizations including but not limited to those listed above.

Low HGB

Common reasons for low HGB:

  • Low hemoglobin usually indicates anemia and therefore reduced oxygen-carrying capacity.

    Common causes include iron deficiency, vitamin B12 or folate deficiency, chronic kidney disease (low EPO), chronic inflammatory disease, bone marrow suppression, blood loss, and hemolysis.

    In endurance athletes, low hemoglobin can also reflect dilutional effects from plasma volume expansion rather than true red-cell deficit.

    ,

High HGB

Common reasons for high HGB:

  • High hemoglobin suggests erythrocytosis or hemoconcentration.

    Common causes include dehydration, smoking, chronic hypoxia (sleep apnea, lung disease, high altitude exposure), testosterone or anabolic androgen use, and primary marrow disorders such as polycythemia vera.

    Persistent elevations warrant context with hematocrit, RBC count, oxygen status, and medication/supplement review.

    ,

Get the Full Picture of Your Iron Status

Calculates Body Iron Stores and provides a personalized intervention plan.

View Full Analysis

100% free and private. Enter only the values you have.

About the site author

My personal mission is to extend human lifespan by collectively adding 1 million years to people's lives.

That’s why I made this site 100% free, no sign-up, no email. Just instant results.

Zsolt Szabo
Zsolt Szabo
Precision Health Consultant for Longevity Clinics, Biohacker, and Software Engineer

Please send me relevant research and feedback.

Any feedback is welcome at .
I am particularly interested in research on biomarkers associated with all-cause mortality and on defining optimal reference ranges.