Increased hemoglobin in men: what does it mean and what to do

Author Marina Lebedeva

09/24/2003 13:08 (Updated: 07/02/2021 23:05)

Health

Hemoglobin level is one of the most important indicators of a blood test. It may vary depending on age, lifestyle and health status. What is the normal hemoglobin level in men, what can cause deviations from the norm and how dangerous are they?

Reasons for increased hemoglobin in men

Functional and pathological factors can influence hemoglobin levels. Normal physiological, adaptive and compensatory mechanisms operate under certain conditions of climate, altitude, latitude, etc.

These include:

• 
  Long-term presence and residence of a person in high mountain areas. Low atmospheric pressure causes a response from the body, which consists of deepening and increasing breathing in order to compensate for the lack of oxygen supply from the rarefied air. This is a short term reaction. Then a longer adaptive mechanism develops, which increases the number of red blood cells in the blood and, accordingly, hemoglobin. The duration of its formation is from a week to 2 months. After a transition period, breathing evens out and slows down again. The process plays a role in the development of mountain sickness in climbers. This unpleasant pathology develops in the case of a sharp rise to a high altitude without adaptation;

• 
  excessive physical stress. From a one-time load, the adaptive mechanisms of increased gas exchange will not have time to work, but if the overload lasts a long time, then the blood will react by increasing the number of red blood cells and the hemoglobin content. This reaction of the body aims to relieve the respiratory system and cardiovascular system. Therefore, often in men associated with constant heavy physical labor, hemoglobin numbers are higher than normal. A similar phenomenon occurs in athletes experiencing monotonous daily overload. For example, long-distance runners, cyclists, skiers, etc.

• 
  functional types of dehydration are intermediate between physiological and pathological causes of increased hemoglobin;

• living in conditions with insufficient water. For example, working in a hot climate and without proper drinking conditions. In this case, an irreplaceable loss of fluid occurs, leading to “thickening” of the blood. These types of work are more typical for men, so functional dehydration is more common among them.

Please note: the longer a person works and lives in such conditions, the more hyperhemoglobinemia develops and the risk of complications increases.

An increase in hemoglobin in men can develop as a result of diseases:

• occurring with debilitating and prolonged diarrhea, especially accompanied by concomitant vomiting (infectious diseases);
• with excessive urination due to diabetes, chronic stress, kidney disease;
• chronic heart failure, causing swelling of the body and a compensatory increase in fluid secretion by the kidneys;
• malignant polycythemia vera (Vaquez disease).

Long-term use of diuretics and a number of other drugs, and deficiency of cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12) can lead to dehydration and thickening of the blood.

Scale of the problem

The end of the 20th and beginning of the 21st centuries were marked by a significant increase in diabetes mellitus. The rapid increase in incidence indicates a global epidemic. According to the conclusions of WHO and the International Institute for Diabetes Research, we are facing a global catastrophe, which is already being called the “coming health crisis of the 21st century.” It could reduce the average life expectancy of people for the first time in 200 years. And, if 30 years ago the number of people with diabetes in the world did not exceed 30 million people, today this figure is rapidly approaching 500 million.

The earliest disability among all diseases and high mortality rates among patients have identified diabetes mellitus as one of the most important priorities in the national health care systems of all countries of the world. Patients with diabetes are 4 times more likely to die from cardiovascular complications (heart attacks, strokes); even during the global COVID-19 pandemic, it was patients with diabetes who constituted the main risk group for mortality from complications. Severe consequences that significantly reduce the quality of life are:

• retinal damage (diabetic retinopathy, blindness);
• kidney damage (nephropathy, chronic renal failure);
• damage to nerve endings at different levels (polyneuropathy);
• diabetic foot.

These complications cause disability and significantly reduce life expectancy.

How does increased hemoglobin manifest in men?

High hemoglobin can cause a number of nonspecific symptoms (also found in other diseases).

They appear:

• the appearance of reddened areas of the skin, alternating with pale areas, peeling;
• severe weakness and fatigue, decreased appetite;
• decreased hearing and vision;
• alternating constipation and diarrhea;
• superficial sleep, insomnia;
• pain in joints, muscles, bones;
• dizziness, diffuse headache;
• tendency to form blood clots;
• painful sensations in the abdomen and a feeling of fullness.

Diagnosis of elevated hemoglobin

Detection of an increased number of red blood cells and hemoglobin is determined during a routine clinical blood test. If the doctor suspects the cause of this process, he may order additional tests. After establishing a diagnosis or functional state, a plan of treatment measures, drug therapy is drawn up, and a diet is prescribed.

Please note: before you start sounding the alarm, compare the test results with the reference values ​​- they are different for men and women!

Treatment methods aimed at reducing hemoglobin in men

If the load is excessive, it is recommended to reduce its intensity. This should be done if the patient has the complaints outlined above.

For diseases of the cardiovascular system, it is necessary to identify the pathology and carry out treatment, which will lead to the normalization of hemoglobin analysis data.

If hemoglobin increases due to diabetes mellitus, it is necessary to reconsider the nutrition plan and introduce correction of insulin doses.

If the treatment does not reduce the level of hemoglobin in the blood, then you should consider prophylactic administration of anticoagulants and antiplatelet medications. These include acetylsalicylic acid, the dose of which must be selected by the doctor.

Insufficient absorption of vitamin B12 should be compensated by prescribing the medication in injection form.

Please note: if the main cause of increased hemoglobin in men is caused by an existing disease, then its treatment, if the tactics are chosen correctly, will itself normalize the deviation of indicators from normal numbers.

How to quickly reduce hemoglobin in the blood at home?

Minor fluctuations in Hb levels caused by sports training or stress do not require the use of special correction methods.

The first thing you have to do to lower hemoglobin is to adjust your daily menu and diet. It has been noted that a diet with increased hemoglobin in men can achieve noticeable results in improving health.

And if the condition is not accompanied by concomitant diseases, it will allow the patient to avoid the need for drug treatment. Therefore, you should pay special attention to this issue and strictly follow nutritional recommendations.

The patient’s attending physician is responsible for preparing the diet, since many factors must be taken into account: the presence of pathologies, intolerance to certain foods and the reason that caused the Hb deviation from the norm. Let's look at the basic principles and recommendations for nutrition.

Read further: All about the norm of hemoglobin in the blood of men by age

Diet therapy

A diet to reduce hemoglobin in the blood does not involve reducing the consumption of iron-containing foods.

It is necessary to sharply reduce the consumption of iron-containing products in case of hemochromatosis - this is a congenital pathology that is accompanied by abnormal deposition of iron in excess quantities.

You should consume soups at least once a day every day. Even in the summer, when it is too hot, it is possible to diversify your diet with cold soups - okroshka, gazpacho or botvinya.

The consumption of red fish and meat, especially fatty varieties, should be limited.

Preference should be given to vegetable and fermented milk dishes. It is worth noting 2 advantages of vegetables: a large amount of liquid in their composition and a low content of iron ions. Dairy products compete with iron ions for absorption, so increasing their share in the diet will significantly slow down the flow of iron into the body.

It is useful to include grapes, tofu cheese, rice, and bread in the menu.

About the importance of water

Some men deliberately limit their fluid intake in the summer in order to sweat less. However, this is an erroneous tactic of behavior that leads to dehydration and a decrease in oxygen in the tissues. The consequence is the manifestation of unwanted symptoms:

• increased craving for sleep;
• frequent headaches;
• state of lethargy;
• general weakness;
• worsening mood.

In parallel with this, blood thickening occurs, the danger of which was discussed above. In order to avoid this condition, it is necessary to consume a minimum amount of fluid, which is calculated taking into account the weight and physical activity of each person.

You should choose green tea, compotes and fruit drinks. It is better to avoid coffee, carbonated drinks and juices. Because they do not quench thirst and increase sweating.

It is optimal if a man drinks 100 ml of unsweetened water at room temperature every hour.

Forbidden foods

Taking any vitamins and nutritional supplements should be discussed with your doctor in advance. Since an excess of certain groups of vitamins can increase the absorption of iron and the production of blood cells. Particular attention should be paid to vitamin C, a sufficient daily amount of which a man receives with food if the menu is properly composed.

A large number of iron ions are typical for seafood, especially sea fish. During treatment, it is advisable to completely exclude them from the diet or minimize them.

You will also have to reduce the amount of sugar consumed, and, accordingly, all sweet baked goods, chocolate and candies. Despite the low iron content in their composition, they create a favorable environment in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) for enhanced absorption.

It is also necessary to limit the consumption of alcoholic beverages.

Folk remedies

The use of alternative medicine methods cannot act as a full-fledged alternative to traditional methods. Folk remedies are an addition to the prescribed treatment. However, their use must be previously agreed upon with the attending physician. This is necessary to eliminate the risk of reducing the therapeutic effectiveness of drugs by various substances from traditional medicine.

One of the recommended traditional medicines is mumiyo. Available in the form of powder, tablets or capsules. It should be emphasized that during its use it is strictly forbidden to drink alcohol and smoke.

Bloodletting using medicinal leeches was also used to lower Hb levels. However, there is currently no reliable confirmation of the effectiveness of this method.

Preventive measures to prevent increased hemoglobin in men

Regular clinical blood tests will help to recognize hyperhemoglobinemia in time and make the right decision to prevent its development.

Examinations by a doctor will allow you to suspect a possible disease leading to an increase in the number of red blood cells and hemoglobin and begin its treatment.

A proper lifestyle and diet will help prevent the development of dangerous blood thickening processes.

Stepanenko Vladimir, surgeon

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“The first signs” of diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is preceded by the following conditions:

• Obesity of varying degrees, including the stage of overweight.
• Insulin resistance is elevated levels of insulin that are unable to effectively lower blood glucose (sugar) levels.
• Increased blood glucose levels on an empty stomach and after meals.
• Metabolic syndrome is a combination of several pathological conditions: abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, increased blood glucose and “bad” cholesterol fractions

It is noteworthy that all these changes are reversible if they are detected in the early stages and therapeutic and preventive measures are taken in a timely manner.

Already at the above stages of prediabetes, early changes are detected in small nerve fibers, in the vessels of the kidneys and retina. Pain and paresthesia in the feet (pain, burning, tingling sensation, cramps, sensation of “goosebumps” on the skin) may also occur, which are associated with damage to small vessels and nerve endings of the foot. Changes in the fundus, blood vessels of the kidneys and feet in the stage of prediabetes are a poor prognostic criterion associated with the risk of more rapid development of complications. Also, in the previous stages, combined, simultaneous damage to the vessels of the retina and kidneys is observed. This is due to the anatomical similarity of the blood vessels of both organs. In addition, the appearance of sugar in the urine leads to inflammatory whitening of the kidneys - pyelonephritis, which contributes to the development of chronic renal failure.

The platform for preventing diabetes mellitus is a timely visit to an endocrinologist and diagnosis of laboratory markers of prediabetes. In this case, the time factor is of key importance.