Test guide
Hemoglobin Test
A hemoglobin test measures the levels of hemoglobin in your blood. Hemoglobin is an iron-rich protein in your red blood cells. It carries oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. Your cells need oxygen to grow, reproduce, and make energy for you to function. Your hemoglobin levels provide information about the health of your red blood cells. If your hemoglobin levels are abnormal, it may be a sign that you have a blood disorder .
What it is for
A hemoglobin test is a blood test often used to check for anemia , a condition in which your body does not make enough healthy red blood cells. If you have anemia, the cells in your body don't get all the oxygen they need. Hemoglobin levels are usually measured as part of a complete blood count (CBC) . A CBC is a group of tests that measure the number and type of cells in your blood. A hemoglobin test is not the same as a hemoglobin A1C test . The A1C test is used to check your average blood glucose (blood sugar). Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine. Medical test information is public domain. Source identity and definition checked automatically on 2026-10-18. No individual clinical interpretation or human reviewer is asserted.
Limitations
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
- Hb, Hgb, H&H
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