What does a elevated hgb mean?

Hemoglobin : Hgb is abbreviation for hemoglobin, the carrier of oxygen in the red blood cell. Low HGB is anemia. High HGB reflects excess red cells, called polycythemia. There are many causes so you will need further testing by your physician to establish the correct cause of your polycythemia.

HIgh HGB: Usually means that this person is a smoker. Smokers block their hemoglobin from carrying oxygen in their blood stream with the excess carbon monoxide caused by smoking. The body to stay alive keeps making more and more hemoglobin so that there can be enough to keep the body oxygenated. It is a sign that the smoker is very unhealthy.

Increased rbcs: When marrow makes increased red blood cells the hemoglobin rises. Polycythemia (increased rbcs) can be idiopathic, caused by certain tumors(kidney), hypoxia from lung disease, hypoxia from high altitude, sometimes heart disease and cyanosis. Dehydration is common cause of elevated hemoglobin.Hemoglobin increases because plasma liquid decreases.