METHOD OF HAEMOGLOBIN TESTING

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS ?

Needle to prick

Gloves

0.1 N HCL

Lancet

Antiseptic

Cotton

PipetteDropper

Distilled water

Haemoglobinometer

Required materials-1. 0.1 N HCL 2. Distilled water3. Spirit or Antiseptic 4. Blood sample.

Required tools-1. Pipette (with rubber pipe) 2. Test tube3. Haemoglobinometer 4. Dropper5. Brush 5. Lancet 6. Glass rod

PROCEDURE

1. Take 0.1 N HCL up to 20 marking in test tube.

2. With the help of Dettol disinfect the place from where blood has to taken.

By this process, we prick a disinfected needle into finger of hand and take out few drop of blood from there as shown in figure

Apply Spirit to the finger before pricking

Pricking

3. With the help of lancet remove blood through finger to glass slide and then take it on test tube.

4. Take 0.02 ml blood with the help of pipette

5. Now take blood sample in test tube

6. Shake a test tube to properly mixing of blood and 0.1 N HCL.

7. Keep a test tube in haemoglobinometer for 5 minutes.

8. To match the colour of solution present in test tube add drops of distilled water with help of dropper.

9. Compare a colour & if it match with another two sides then take reading & it is your Hb in %

In this way, you can check your Hb

level.

Normal Hemoglobin Levels

Age GroupHemoglobin Count

(gm/dl)

Normal Hemoglobin Levels in Newborn Babies 17 - 22

Normal Hemoglobin Levels in Children 11 - 13

Normal Hemoglobin Levels in Adults (Male) 14 - 18

Normal Hemoglobin Levels in Adults (Female) 12 - 16

Normal Hemoglobin Levels in Elderly (Male) 12.4 - 14.9

Normal Hemoglobin Levels in Elderly (Female) 11.7 - 13.8

WHAT PRECAUTION SHOULD I TAKE WHILE ?

1. Use separate lancet for each person.

2. Don’t prick near nail, prick on the tip of finger.

3. Clean the pipette immediately after taking blood.

4. See haemoglobinometer reading in sunlight.

5. Take care that blood should not come in mouth during sucking by pipette.

Common Symptoms of Low Hemoglobin

1. Main cause of anemia - Feeling of tiredness, headache, dizziness, fatigue and lack of concentration are some general symptoms that can be identified as symptoms of low level hemoglobin in particular.

2. Physically, the visible signs for lack of hemoglobin in the blood are pale skin, nail beds and gums.

3. Low hemoglobin means less oxygen in blood which often causes shortness of breath. 4

4. In case level of hemoglobin becomes extremely low, it can lead to enlargement of the heart and signs of heart failure may also show up.

5. When infants and small children continue to suffer from low hemoglobin for a long time, it causes poor neurological development in them.

6. During the growing up years, these children often show behavioral disturbances and unsatisfactory performances in academics. It also makes them prone to lead poisoning.

1. The main function of red blood cells is to carry oxygen from one part of the body to another.

2. To carry out this function, it is the hemoglobin protein molecule that actually bonds to the oxygen and carries it from one cell to another. Thus, the entire functioning of the red blood cells depends on the hemoglobin levels present.

3. Hence, even if there is a high red blood cell count, if the hemoglobin level is below normal, the person will still show signs and symptoms of anemia.

NEED OF HEMOGLOBIN TESTING

1. The main reason behind low hemoglobin is deficiency of iron in body. 2. This is because iron is responsible for the production of hemoglobin. 3. People who do not include sufficient iron rich food in their diet tend to develop iron deficiency. 4. When the body is incapable of absorbing certain vitamins, production of hemoglobin also gets affected. 5. In some people, specific types of genetic disorders such as thala ssemia and sickle cell disease are responsible for low hemoglobin. 6. It is also found in those people who have a medical history of alcoholism.

CAUSES OF LOW HEMOGLOBIN

TREATMENT FOR LOW HEMOGLOBIN1. Doctors prescribe iron supplements and vitamin supplements to

improve the level of hemoglobin.

2. They recommend correct dosage of the iron supplement as per the health condition of the patient. If the hemoglobin count is extremely low, stronger dose of iron supplements are needed.

3. Foodstuffs that supply a high amount of iron are leafy vegetables,

dried peas, beans, cereals, dried apricots and raisins. Also, red meat, shrimp and oysters are good sources of iron.

4. Proper diet and medication,

5. High iron food in their daily diet .

6. The level of hemoglobin is not going to rise instantly. It will take several months before one can see signs of improvement.