High hemoglobin levels, indicating an unusually high amount of the protein that carries oxygen in red blood cells, are most often caused by low blood oxygen levels (hypoxia) sustained over a long period. This prompts the bone marrow to increase red blood cell production to compensate.
Several factors can lead to this chronic low oxygen:
Common Causes of High Hemoglobin
- Chronic Lung Diseases: Conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, and cystic fibrosis impair oxygen uptake, triggering increased hemoglobin production.
- Heart Conditions: Heart failure and congenital heart defects reduce the blood's ability to carry oxygen efficiently, causing the body to boost hemoglobin levels.
- High Altitude Living: The lower oxygen levels at high altitudes stimulate the body to produce more red blood cells.
- Smoking: Smoking damages the lungs, reducing oxygen absorption and leading to higher hemoglobin levels.
- Dehydration: Concentrated blood from dehydration can falsely elevate hemoglobin levels.
- Bone Marrow Disorders: Polycythemia vera, a bone marrow disease, causes an abnormal increase in red blood cell production, resulting in elevated hemoglobin.
- Kidney Cancer and Liver Cancer: Certain cancers can lead to increased erythropoietin production, a hormone that stimulates red blood cell formation, ultimately raising hemoglobin levels.
Less Common Causes
While less frequent, other conditions can contribute to elevated hemoglobin:
- Congenital heart disease in adults.
It's crucial to note that high hemoglobin doesn't always cause symptoms. However, high levels can lead to complications like blood clots. A healthcare professional will need to perform a thorough evaluation to determine the underlying cause of increased hemoglobin and provide appropriate treatment.
