Is Hemoglobin Level Of 19 Gm/dL A Cause For Concern?

Posted on Thu, 7 Jan 2016

Question: Hi my age is 25 i did regular check up before 4 months where my hemoglobin count was 18 and recently i rechecked and now it is 19
can you suggest ways to reduce it. My BP is also on the higher side around 130-80 on BP Medication for last 4 months (Telsar-20).I am also on thyroid medication (Thyroxin 50)for last 4 months at present TSH is 1.76 and T4 is 1.4
I stay in XXXXXXX which is around 3000 feet above the sea level.
Physically i have no problem but sometimes i am suffering from anxiety due to early life Blood Pressure and Thyroid.
My physician passes his opinion that its may be due to over stress and suggested me to be hydrated all time and also to consult with a hematologist. Please suggest me with your opinion on this and how to reduce my hemoglobin count.

Answered by Dr. Shailja Puri (18 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Hb upto 19 gm% needs to be investigated for polycythemia vera.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query on HealthcareMagic.
The high blood pressure and thyroid disorder need to be managed by appropriate medication.
The upper limit for hemoglobin in males can be upto 18 gm%.
However, a high hemoglobin level above the normal range raises the suspicion of polycythemia, a blood disorder.
I suggest you to consult a hematologist and get some investigations to rule out blood disorder - polycythemia.
A mutation called JAK 2 mutation by PCR is required to diagnose or rule out polycythemia.
Polycythemia is physiological in people living at high altitude, however, XXXXXXX is a low altitude place and a physiological polycythemia is not expected.
A positive JAK 2 mutation is diagnostic of blood disorder - polycythemia vera.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj