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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Can Haemoglobin Level Vary In A Person Living At A Higher Altitude?

I have a hemoglobin a count of 66% and hemoglobin s count 0f 30.8. I have been told to see a hematologist. I have been reading about the causes and one of them is living at a high altitude, which I recently took a short term position where it is a high altitude. I am wondering if I should follow up with the hematologist now or wait until I return home in about 6 weeks to see if this changes. hemoglobin a2 is in the normal range of 3.2.
Wed, 6 Sep 2017
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Hematologist,  's  Response
Hi there,
It looks like you have Sickle cell trait. That means only one gene out of 2 is defective. But this condition is not a cause for worry. You wont have any symptoms because of this and you will have normal life expectancy.
But there is risk of getting a sickle cell child, if your spouse is also sickle cell trait and both of you give abnormal gene to your child.
I am not sure about rise of HbS at high altitude.
You can recheck hemoglobin electrophoresis after 6 weeks and revert back. Anyways it not not an urgent thing to be done.

Hope I have answered your question. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help.
With regards,
Dr. Girish Kamat

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Can Haemoglobin Level Vary In A Person Living At A Higher Altitude?

Hi there, It looks like you have Sickle cell trait. That means only one gene out of 2 is defective. But this condition is not a cause for worry. You wont have any symptoms because of this and you will have normal life expectancy. But there is risk of getting a sickle cell child, if your spouse is also sickle cell trait and both of you give abnormal gene to your child. I am not sure about rise of HbS at high altitude. You can recheck hemoglobin electrophoresis after 6 weeks and revert back. Anyways it not not an urgent thing to be done. Hope I have answered your question. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help. With regards, Dr. Girish Kamat