Question 1

what is the definition or description of: fetal hemoglobin?

Accepted Answer

Hb F: Is the main hemoglobin that transport oxygen in the fetus during the last seven months of development in the uterus and in the newborn until roughly 6 months old. , fetal hemoglobin is able to bind oxygen with greater affinity than the adult hemoglobin,  giving the developing fetus better access to oxygen from the mother's bloodstream.

Question 2

how common is  the inherited persistence of fetal hemoglobin?

Accepted Answer

Difficult to measure: This is difficult to measure because in most people with inherited persistence of fetal hemoglobin are entirely asymptomatic. However, population studies have shown that about 10% of the population has been seen to have some persistence of fetal hemoglobin but in varying levels (from 0.8% of cells containing the fetal hemoglobin up to about 10% fetal hemoglobin levels).

Question 3

does the fetal hemoglobin test have significant risks?

Accepted Answer

No: It is simply a blood draw.

Question 4

what are the risks for the patient in undergoing a fetal hemoglobin test?

Accepted Answer

Fetal Hemoglobin: Some patients have a high level of fetal hemoglobin, for a number of potential reasons.  The fetal hemoglobin does not cause any problem, but some blood diseases that are important to know, and potentially treat, such as sickle cell anemia, are important.  The hemoglobin electrophoresis, the test for most of these issues, will help the hematologist if there is a problem and needs treatment.

Question 5

some adults with sickle cell anemia have high levels of fetal hemoglobin. any reason for this?

Accepted Answer

Epigenetics and drug: We know that sickle cell patients that have increased Hemoglobin F typically have less sickle cell complications. This is the basis for using Hydroxyurea in sickle cell patients. Some individuals have elevated Hemoglobin F levels due to differences in the genetic region of the beta and gamma globin genes that prevent the normal shutting-off of the gamma globin gene. This leads to increased HGB f.

Question 6

help docs, is increased fetal haemoglobin is seen in haemoglobin h disease?

Accepted Answer

Why do you ask?: Fetal hemoglobin, being made of alpha and gamma chains, tends to be up in the beta thalassemias, when it's hard to make beta chains.  It's not so much a marker of hemoglobin H disease, where the problem is making too little in the way of alpha chains.

Question 7

what is considered dangerous in low hemoglobin?

Accepted Answer

ALWAYS serious: Being "a little bit anemic" is like being "a little bit pregnant." even if the anemia is not life-threatening, it warns that you're sick and you need to find the cause. Especially, iron deficiency anemia without explanation screams out for a work-up -- "am i losing blood into my gut from an undiagnosed cancer?" you must demand your physician find the cause.

Question 8

low hemoglobin in toddler

Accepted Answer

Define low: After somewhat elevated hemoglobin  levels around birth, infants grow faster than their blood is produced & have relatively low hemoglobin levels in infancy and childhood when compared to teen or adult values. The expected hemoglobin values vary by age and gender.If really low, it most often reflects nutritional deficiency , specifically for iron, but could also be due to losses.

Question 9

what is considered a low hemoglobin level in pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

Thanks for asking!: Pregnant women with hemoglobin levels below 11.0 g/dl are generally considered anemic, though complications and symptoms from anemia during pregnancy do not usually occur until hemoglobin levels are well below 11.0 g/dl.

Question 10

normal range for hemoglobin and rbc blood count in males?

Accepted Answer

Hgb 13.5-17: RBCS 4.3 to 5.5. Make sure the lab is using the units that are the same as USA to compare the numbers

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Doctor answers about:

Fetal hemoglobin

A member asked:

What is the definition or description of: fetal hemoglobin?

A member asked:

How common is the inherited persistence of fetal hemoglobin?

A member asked:

Does the fetal hemoglobin test have significant risks?

A member asked:

What are the risks for the patient in undergoing a fetal hemoglobin test?

A member asked:

Some adults with sickle cell anemia have high levels of fetal hemoglobin. any reason for this?

A member asked:

Help docs, is increased fetal haemoglobin is seen in haemoglobin h disease?

A member asked:

What is considered dangerous in low hemoglobin?

A member asked:

Low hemoglobin in toddler

A member asked:

What is considered a low hemoglobin level in pregnancy?

A member asked:

Normal range for hemoglobin and rbc blood count in males?

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