Is Hemoglobin Count Of 17.3 A Cause For Concern?

Posted on Thu, 28 Jul 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 28 Jul 2016 Answered on

Wed, 17 Aug 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : My 66 year old husband just recently got blood work done. Everything was great except his hemoglobin count was 17.3. The doctor is sending him to a hematologist. Was wondering what they may be looking for.

Answered by Dr. Shailja Puri (21 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
High Hb raises suspicion of polycythemia, so the referral.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query on HealthcareMagic.

Hemoglobin (Hb) level of 17.3 gm% is on the higher side the normal range.
The upper range for hemoglobin is taken to be 18 gm%, however, this may vary from population to population.

Thus, your husbands Hb is on higher side although it is within range.
Referral to hematologist is to look for any sign or symptom of polycythemia.
Polycythemia is a condition wherein the Hb is raised.

Polycythemia may be physiological (normal finding in response to particular condition) or it may be pathological (a disease state).
If you any further query, I will be glad to answer.

Dr Shailja Puri

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad