If your hemoglobin levels drop too low, you might develop anemia, but experts say it won't cause any symptoms.Red blood cells transport oxygen throughout your body.There are several different causes for low hemoglobin levels, including low iron, excess blood loss, and certain medical conditions.You can raise your hemoglobin levels with diet and supplements, but you may need additional treatments.Talk to your doctor about the best treatment for you.
Step 1: Heme iron can be used to eat more foods.
The easiest sources for your body to absorb are heme iron and organic iron.The absorption level of heme iron is not affected by any other elements.Your body can absorb more iron from non-heme foods if you have heme iron sources.Red meat has the highest iron levels, but other forms of meat and seafood are also absorbable.If you want to increase your hemoglobin levels, try consuming the following foods.
Step 2: You can add more non-heme iron food sources to your diet.
Plants and plant-based foods contain non-heme iron.The iron sources are absorbed at lower rates.You will only absorb 2% or less of the iron in non-heme foods, but with proper planning, they can and should be part of a balanced diet.Any bread that has been fortified with additional iron is a common source of non-heme iron.
Step 3: Iron absorption can be increased by eating non-heme iron foods.
There are a number of things you can do to increase the amount of iron absorbed from non-heme foods.You can increase the amount of iron you get from non-heme foods with a few small changes.To increase the absorption of iron, combine heme and non-heme foods.Heme foods help your body absorb more iron from non-heme foods.Cook non-heme foods in an iron pot.The non-heme food's iron will be increased by absorbing some additional organic iron from the cookware.You can combine non-heme foods with vitamins C and E.You can combine any acidic food product with non-heme iron sources to increase the iron absorption.It is possible to absorb more iron from your plant-based foods.
Step 4: You shouldn't drink or eat foods that decrease your ability to absorb iron.
Some foods can decrease your absorption of non-heme iron.If you're struggling to increase your hemoglobin levels, try avoiding these foods/drinks/supplements and see if your levels improve.
Step 5: Iron supplements can be taken.
Iron supplements are an excellent and direct way to increase the amount of iron you consume; however, if your body is having difficulty absorbing iron, you may need to take other precautions.There are a number of OTC iron supplements.The most important thing is that they are taken properly and regularly.Taking iron tablets on an empty stomach can help increase the absorption of iron from those tablets, but it can also cause an upset stomach, so you may prefer to take iron with a little food.Iron tablets should not be taken with an antacid.Your ability to absorb iron is hampered by fast-relief heartburn medications.Take your iron tablets two hours before you take antacids or four hours after.
Step 6: Get more folic acid.
It is necessary for your body to make new cells.If you can't make enough red blood cells, you may have low hemoglobin levels.You can get it through supplements or diet changes.The recommended daily dose of folic acid is found in most multi-vitamins in the United States.If your breakfast cereal is labeled as having 100% of your daily value of folic acid, a bowl each day can help get your hemoglobin levels higher.Some breakfast cereals have less than the daily recommended value of folic acid.Replacing your usual cereals with one that has more folic acid is a good idea.
Step 7: Use vitamins B6 and B6.
Your body makes more hemoglobin with the help of Vitamins B6 and B6.If you're having low hemoglobin levels, you may be able to get it with the help of vitamins B6 and B6.Some foods that are rich in vitamins B6 and B7 are avocados, bananas, nuts, beans/legumes, whole grains, and meats.You can buy vitamins at health food stores.Adults under the age of 50 need between 1.2 and 1.3 vitamins a day.Adults over the age of 50 should be consuming between 1.5 and 1.7 milligrams of vitamins B6 every day.
Step 8: Take vitamins B12 and B.
Your body makes red blood cells.It can help reduce the symptoms of low hemoglobin levels.B12 is derived from animals.Some plants are fortified to have the B12 they don't have naturally.It is possible to reduce the symptoms of anemia with the use of iron and/or folic acid supplements.If you follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, you can increase your B12 intake.Many people who are vegetarian or vegan don't get enough vitamins B12, and can experience anemia as a result.If you're over 50, you should talk to your doctor about your B12 needs.Adults over 50 have a hard time absorbing vitamins from food.If you have a previous gastrointestinal surgery, you should consider taking B12 supplements.
Step 9: It is possible to reduce menstrual bleeding by taking oral contraceptives.
Women with heavy menstrual flow experience anemia.Lower hemoglobin levels can be a result of this.There is no guarantee that contraceptives will work for everyone, but they can help reduce menstrual flow.Although oral contraceptives do not provide immediate relief of low hemoglobin levels, they may help reduce iron deficiency caused by heavy menstruation.
Step 10: Antibiotics can be used to manage peptic ulcers.
Slow GI bleeding can be caused by peptic ulcers, which can cause low hemoglobin levels.Your doctor can prescribe a triple therapy regimen of two antibiotics and a pump inhibitor for most peptic ulcers.The H. pyloribacteria causepeptic ulcers.Anemia can be reduced by treating H. pylori infections with antibiotics.
Step 11: You can identify the disease.
Iron deficiency is a lesser known symptom of celiac disease, which is an autoimmune disorder that causes damage to the lining of the small intestine.Even if you don't have any other symptoms, there is a chance that you may have a condition called celiac disease.Ask your doctor if you have the disease.The lining of the small intestine can't absorb iron because of it being damaged.If you are found to have the disease, you will have to change your diet.You will be able to absorb iron after a while.
Step 12: Take your medications.
It's a good idea to talk to your doctor about any medications you're taking.Discuss the possibility of taking a different medication if these are affecting your ability to absorb iron.Some drugs that may impair iron absorption include antibiotics, antiseizure medications, immunosuppressive drugs, and anti-clotting drugs.
Step 13: If you suffer from blood loss, consider surgery.
Low red blood cell counts can cause low hemoglobin levels.A low red blood cell count is often associated with persistent bleeding that the patient is not aware of, or any condition that lowers your redblood cell production or destroys red Blood cells at a rapid rate.A Tumor, Fibroid, or Polyp that bleeds can reduce your ability to produce red blood cells or cause bone marrow to fail, which can lead to low hemoglobin levels in some individuals.The bleeding and low red blood cell problem can be alleviated by having the polyp, tumor, or fibroid removed.
Step 14: You can identify the symptoms of low hemoglobin levels.
A doctor can diagnose low hemoglobin levels.Your doctor will need to test your blood in order to determine the cause of your low hemoglobin, and possibly do other studies as well.If you are experiencing severe symptoms of low hemoglobin, you should see your doctor as soon as possible.Paleness of the skin and/or gums are common symptoms of severely low hemoglobin levels.
Step 15: Have your levels tested.
If you have a low hemoglobin level, you need to have your blood tested by a doctor.If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of low hemoglobin levels on a regular basis, you should see your doctor as soon as possible to determine the cause of your symptoms and develop a treatment plan.A complete blood count test is what your doctor will most likely do to confirm that you have a low hemoglobin count.A small sample of blood is needed for the blood test.You will be stuck with a needle, but it is not particularly painful, and any pain is very short-lived.Adult men with normal hemoglobin levels are between 13 and 17 grams per deciliter.Adult women's normal hemoglobin levels are between 12.1 and 15.1 g/dL.Your doctor will need to run more tests to determine what is causing your symptoms if the blood tests don't show low hemoglobin levels.
Step 16: There are other medical conditions that could cause low hemoglobin.
There are a number of underlying conditions that can cause low hemoglobin levels.Low hemoglobin levels can be caused by any disease that reduces your red blood cell count.Cancer and certain non-cancerous tumors are some of the conditions that can cause low hemoglobin levels.