Until recently most hemoglobin tests were done in a medical laboratory. They are still be done this way but nowadays we have the ability to test hemoglobin at home with the use of an in home use hemoglobin test meter. A hemoglobin test is meter is a device that is used to determine how much hemoglobin a person has in his or her body. The test meter will perform a complete blood count and check levels on a number of blood components. The hemogloblin test meter is a diagnostic tool and can be used to monitor the progress of certain medical conditions involving blood count such as anemia. These devices are on the market for use in medical laboratories and should only be used by trained professionals. However, there are also professional hand held meters that a doctor can use. Patient’s now have the option of buying less expensive ones to use at home if they need to measure their hemoglobin during the day.
The hemoglobin in the blood is a protein that transports oxygen throughout the body. A normal hemoglobin level for an adult is between 12 and 18 grams per deciliter. A pregnant woman’s hemoglobin level can be slightly lower. A normal level of hemoglobin in the blood for children is between 11 and 16 grams per deciliter. When a hemoglobin test meter indicates low levels of hemoglobin in the blood it can mean the presence of anemia. Higher than normal levels of hemoglobin in the blood can indicate a person has heart disease or the fact that they are dehydrated. The body has 3 different kinds of blood cells. There are red cells, white cells and platelets. The red blood cells contain the hemoglobin. People who suffer from anemia have too few red blood cells.
You can buy a hemoglobin test meter for in home use that work much like the ones used in standard laboratories that are less then $30 now. It is important to test for hemoglobin when you have anemia since this condition can lead to life threatening complications. Some of the symptoms of anemia are fatigue, rapid heart beat, depression, dizziness and pale skin. Some patients need to test for hemoglobin at various times throughout the day since various things can alter hemoglobin levels. The doctor may want the patient to collect data so he can better evaluate the condition of the patient to develop the best treatment plan for them. An in home use anemia hemoglobin test meter can give a hemoglobin readout in about 20 minutes. All that is needed is one drop of blood. There is usually a lancet that comes with these devices so that blood can be taken from a finger and then inserted into the test meter.
The BioSafe Anemia meter is one such device on the market that anyone can use. The hemoglobin results are shown through a window on the device. The person can then take the meter to the doctor to show the results if necessary. It comes with a user manual, illustrations and instructions on how to use it. A person who has kidney disease or heart disease can regularly check their hemoglobin without needing to go in for expensive lab work. Other people who can benefit from using a hemoglobin test meter are aids patients, diabetics, people with cancer and rheumatoid arthritis. A hemoglobin test meter that is used by professionals is the STAT-Site M HgB test meter. It is also a hand held device only it is for use by a licensed medical doctor only. There are various other brands on the market for professional use. The ones for professional use only range from about $250 up to $1100 and can be found being sold by various vendors on the internet.
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