Hemoglobin

The hemoglobin level (Hb level) indicates the amount of hemoglobin in your blood. Hemoglobin is a protein that transports oxygen to your organs. A hemoglobin level that is too low indicates anemia, meaning your blood cannot transport enough oxygen.

Red blood cells are produced in the bone marrow, which is located inside your bones. This occurs primarily in the sternum, ribs, pelvis, and spine. As a red blood cell develops in the bone marrow, it produces hemoglobin, which eventually makes up about one-third of its volume.

Red blood cells have a lifespan of 100 to 120 days. Aging red blood cells are broken down primarily in the spleen and, to a lesser extent, in the liver. During this process, hemoglobin is also broken down. Much of the iron from hemoglobin is recycled to produce new red blood cells.

There are various types of hemoglobin. Adults primarily have hemoglobin A (HbA), which consists of two alpha chains and two beta chains. Each chain contains a heme group with an iron atom. Oxygen binds to the iron in these heme groups, allowing it to be transported from the lungs to the rest of the body. In addition to HbA, other forms of hemoglobin exist, such as HbA2—levels of which are elevated in the blood disorder beta-thalassemia, and fetal hemoglobin (HbF), which is primarily present before birth.

Hemoglobin is formed during the development of red blood cells. It takes approximately 6 days for a red blood cell to develop. Every second, your body produces 2–3 million new red blood cells containing hemoglobin.

Ferritin is a protein that stores iron in your body. The level of ferritin in your blood reflects the amount of iron in your body. If your ferritin level is too low, it means you have insufficient iron, which can make it harder for your body to produce hemoglobin. For this reason, we postpone your donation if your ferritin level is too low. Read more about ferritin.

If you have been diagnosed with hemochromatosis, there may be opportunities to donate blood at Sanquin.

If the disease is not yet stable, or if you have hemochromatosis as a result of another condition (secondary hemochromatosis), your treating physician can submit a request for therapeutic phlebotomy with us. The blood collected during these procedures is not used for patient treatment.

If you have the hereditary form of the disease (primary hemochromatosis) and the disease is stable, your donated blood may be used for transfusion. Your treating physician must submit an application, including a recent ferritin measurement. After registration, you will undergo an examination by a donor physician and the routine blood tests required to determine whether you are eligible to become a donor.

This is only possible if you meet the following requirements:

• Your blood ferritin level must at some point have been below 100 micrograms per liter. After that, we use the following upper limits: 200 micrograms/L for women and 400 micrograms/L for men.
• You are otherwise healthy and meet the requirements that apply to all other donors.

Women may donate a maximum of three times a year and men a maximum of five times a year. For men, there must be at least two months between consecutive donations, and for women at least four months.

Hb stands for hemoglobin. This is a protein in your red blood cells that transports oxygen through your body. Iron is an essential component of hemoglobin; without iron, your blood cannot bind oxygen. Before every donation, we check your Hb level using a finger-prick test. This ensures your Hb is high enough for safe donation and that you won't experience any adverse effects after the procedure. If your Hb is below the threshold, the donation is postponed.

After a donation, your body needs iron to produce new red blood cells. It draws this from your iron reserves: ferritin. Ferritin is a protein that stores iron. To prevent iron deficiency, we measure your ferritin level during your initial screening appointment. This measurement is repeated regularly for blood donors. If your ferritin level is low, your next donation will be postponed, and we will invite you to donate less frequently in the future.

Measuring your Hb and ferritin levels helps us protect your health.
 

Unfortunately, you cannot donate while pregnant. You may only donate six months after your pregnancy ends. This six-month period begins after childbirth, miscarriage, or abortion.

Yes, you can donate blood or plasma while you are menstruating. However, it is important to consider whether you feel well enough. If not, it may be better to wait until your period is over.

Because you lose blood during menstruation, this can affect the Hb level that we measure during donor screening. If you come in to donate during or shortly after your period, your Hb result may be lower than you are normally used to.

Women must have an Hb level of 7.8 mmol/L to donate blood and 7.5 mmol/L to donate plasma.