Hemoglobin

Measures the concentration of hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein in blood.

To evaluate anemia or high hemoglobin and to monitor treatment.

1. Check in advance whether you need to fast or have your blood drawn at a specific time.
2. Fasting is usually not required. Before the blood draw, avoid unusually intense exertion and tell your doctor about any medicines you take.
3. Before the blood draw, avoid unusually intense physical exercise unless your doctor has advised otherwise.
4. Tell your doctor and the laboratory staff about any medicines and dietary supplements you take.

Fasting is generally not required. If another test has been ordered at the same time, the overall preparation plan may change.

A specific time is generally not required. If your doctor has set a different time, follow those instructions.

• Incorrect collection or contamination of the sample
• Delayed delivery of the sample
• Certain medicines and coexisting conditions

Venous or capillary blood

The blood sample is collected by a qualified staff member. The tube type, required volume, and processing and storage conditions are set by the laboratory's specific method. You do not need to store the sample yourself.

The result is interpreted together with symptoms, the patient's age and other tests; a single value does not always determine a diagnosis. What a high or low result means depends on age, symptoms, the method used and the reference interval.

If your result is outside the reference interval, you have symptoms, or your condition changes, contact your doctor. If symptoms are severe or develop quickly, seek emergency care.

Do not stop treatment on your own. Confirm the final test conditions with the laboratory.