Hb
The protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen.
What is it
Hemoglobin is the protein that binds and transports oxygen in red blood cells. Hemoglobin level is the primary measure of anemia.
Why it's measured
Hemoglobin has been the foundational marker for anemia evaluation in research and clinical practice.
Reference range
Standard laboratory reference
Men: 13.5 – 17.5 / Women: 12.0 – 15.5 g/dL
Reference ranges vary by laboratory. Your individual reference range will appear on your test report and should be interpreted by your physician in the context of your overall health profile.
Where does your number land?
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Drag to your own Hemoglobin result.
Educational only, not a diagnosis. Ranges vary by laboratory. See which panel includes Hemoglobin.
What results may indicate
Elevated
Has been associated with polycythemia and certain conditions in research literature.
Lower
Has been associated with anemia in published research.
These associations are general. They are not a personal diagnosis or prediction. Discuss your individual results with your physician in the context of your full health profile.
When it's measured
Part of standard CBC.
Related markers
Common questions
Hemoglobin is the protein that binds and transports oxygen in red blood cells. Hemoglobin level is the primary measure of anemia.
It's one of the markers used to build a fuller picture of your health. On its own it tells you very little, so it's most informative when reviewed alongside related markers.
It's measured from a standard blood draw at Quest or LabCorp. Hemoglobin is one of the markers included in the OPTML Apex Panel, where your results are read across systems and reviewed by a U.S.-licensed physician.
Reference ranges vary by laboratory, and a single value rarely tells the whole story. Review your result with a physician in the context of your other markers, symptoms, and history.
Hemoglobin is one signal among many. Answer a few quick questions and we’ll point you to the panel that fits.
Related symptoms
A symptom is a signal, not a diagnosis. These guides explain what the evidence shows and the blood markers, including this one, that help find the cause.
Measured in
A complete look at your heart, hormones, metabolism, inflammation, and longevity systems — drawn at Quest or LabCorp, reviewed by a U.S.-licensed physician.
Find the right panel →This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Lab results alone are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any condition and do not replace the advice of a healthcare provider. OPTML does not offer medical advice, a diagnosis, medical treatment, or any form of medical opinion.
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