Hbstijging

Hbstijging, often written as Hb stijging or Hb-stijging, refers to an increase in the concentration of hemoglobin in the blood. Hemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. A rise in Hb can be transient or persistent and is typically detected through a standard blood test, reported in grams per deciliter (g/dL) or grams per liter (g/L). Normal adult values vary by sex and laboratory, but generally lie around 13.8–17.2 g/dL for men and 12.1–15.1 g/dL for women; values above the upper limit indicate an Hb stijging.

Causes of Hb stijging are divided into physiological and pathological categories. Physiological causes include acclimatization to high altitude, dehydration, and chronic smoking. Pathological causes include hypoxia from lung or heart disease, sleep apnea, renal or liver disorders that stimulate erythropoietin production, and myeloproliferative disorders such as polycythemia vera. Exogenous factors like androgen therapy or erythropoietin administration can also raise Hb.

Diagnosis and interpretation rely on distinguishing a true increase in red cell mass from a relative Hb stijging caused by reduced plasma volume. Additional tests—such as hematocrit, red cell mass measurements, reticulocyte count, arterial oxygen saturation, and erythropoietin levels—help identify the underlying cause.

Clinical significance centers on the potential consequences of elevated blood viscosity, including headaches, dizziness, and an increased risk of thrombosis. Management depends on the cause: ensuring adequate hydration, treating hypoxia or underlying diseases, lifestyle changes (for example, smoking cessation), and, in conditions like polycythemia vera, procedures such as therapeutic phlebotomy to reduce hematocrit, alongside disease-specific therapies.