Hemoglobin explained

What is hemoglobin?

Hemoglobin is a substance in your body that ensures that carbon dioxide (waste) and oxygen can be absorbed into the red blood cells. In addition, hemoglobin ensures that the red blood cell is colored red. Hemoglobin is made up of four protein chains; two of the alpha globin type and two of the beta globin type. These four protein chains all contain the iron ion. Hemoglobin can therefore bind carbon dioxide or oxygen in four places and transport it through the blood through your body.

What does hemoglobin do?

As most people know, oxygen is an important fuel in your body. The red blood cells provide oxygen to all body cells that flow through your body. This gives your organs their energy. When the red blood cells have released their oxygen, the hemoglobin can absorb carbon dioxide again. The red blood cell can then release the carbon dioxide into the lungs, where it can be exhaled. In this way the hemoglobin provides fuel for the cells and removes waste from the cells.

Anemia

Anemia occurs when there are not enough red blood cells in the blood or when the red blood cells do not function optimally. If you have anemia, less oxygen is transported. Various complaints can arise, such as dizziness, palpitations, ringing in the ears, sweating, feeling your stroke and tiredness. People speak of iron too short.

What can you do?

To monitor the hemoglobin in your body, you can measure the blood values ​​with the Hb Hemoglobin Meter. We have developed the Mission Plus Hb Hemoglobin Meter Starter Kit especially for you. The Mission Plus HB and Hematocrit meter measures – through the unique test strip – your hemoglobin (iron content) and hematocrit value (the ratio of red blood cells versus total number of blood cells).