Indicator Explainer
Hemoglobin
The red respiratory protein of erythrocytes, consisting of approximately 3.8% heme and 96.2% globin (64.5 KD), which as oxyhemoglobin (HbO2) transports oxygen from the lungs to the tissues where the oxygen is readily released and HbO2 becomes Hb.
This page explains what the indicator is and how results are interpreted in general terms. Reference ranges depend on the laboratory, the method, and your own situation — no single “normal value” applies to everyone. This page is health information, not a diagnosis. For symptoms, treatment, or urgent concerns, contact a healthcare professional.
When it is tested
Source: National Cancer Institute, NCI Thesaurus 26.09d, C16676. NCI definition, reproduced without modification under CC BY 4.0. Source identity and definition checked automatically on 2026-10-18. No individual clinical interpretation or human reviewer is asserted.
Reading results
Reference intervals and interpretation depend on the laboratory, specimen, method and clinical context. This source definition is educational information; it does not establish a diagnosis, product approval or suitability for an individual.
Also Known As
References
- NCI Thesaurus 26.09d — Hemoglobin (C16676)
- Source: National Cancer Institute, NCI Thesaurus 26.09d, C16676. NCI definition, reproduced without modification under CC BY 4.0.
- Hemoglobin Exhibits a U-Shaped Association with Obstructive Sleep Apnea at High Altitude: Machine-Learning and Exploratory Interventional Evidence. — Respir Med, 2026-10-09 (PMID 42855086; literature)
- Association between hemoglobin concentration and peripheral perfusion index in critically ill patients: insight from a prospective cohort. — J Clin Monit Comput, 2026-10-09 (PMID 42853451; literature)
- Ergothioneine exhibits selective, capacity-limited localization within a hemoglobin-associated microenvironment. — Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 2026-10-08 (PMID 42854660; literature)
- Geometric decoupling of epidermal melanin and dermal hemoglobin signals using coaxial and spatially resolved NIRS. — J Biomed Opt, 2026-10-08 (PMID 42852398; literature)