A hemoglobin analyzer, also called a hemoglobin meter, measures the level of hemoglobin in the blood. It is useful when performing a health check-up, especially for diagnosing certain conditions such as anemia. There are also specific analyzers that measure glycated hemoglobin which are used in particular for the monitoring of diabetes.
Hemoglobin analyzers can measure several parameters such as the hemoglobin level in the blood, the hematocrit level and the glycated hemoglobin level. These measurements are displayed in percentages.
Hemoglobin (Hb) is contained in red blood cells and used to transport oxygen from the lungs to bodily tissue. If the hemoglobin level is too low, it is called anemia. Symptoms of this deficiency can include fatigue, lack of energy, fainting, paleness or shortness of breath.
If the hemoglobin level is too high, it is called polycythemia. This excess results in vision problems, dizziness, headaches, etc. People living at high altitudes tend to have a higher than average level of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin levels are lower in the elderly, women, children and during pregnancy.
Hemoglobin is responsible for the red color of blood and has values closely related to the red blood cell count. The hematocrit (HCT) level is the portion of blood occupied by blood cells (red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets), while the plasma is the remainder. Since red blood cells make up about 98% of the blood cells, the hematocrit measurement is the ratio of red blood cells in the sample for the total blood volume.
Glucose tends to bind to various proteins including hemoglobin. HbA1c or glycated hemoglobin is the fraction of hemoglobin that has reacted with glucose. Some analyzers can measure this glycated hemoglobin and more accurately assess the blood glucose level in the blood. The glycated hemoglobin level is therefore very useful for the diagnosis and monitoring of diabetes.
The measurement of the hemoglobin level in the blood allows the diagnosis of several conditions such as anemia, polycythemia and diabetes.
Anemia
Anemia is caused by low hemoglobin levels and can have several sources. According to the mean corpuscular volume (MCV), a distinction is made between:
Polycythemia
Polycythemia is caused by too much hemoglobin. There are two types of polycythemia:
Diabetes
The glycated hemoglobin level indicates how well a patient has managed his or her blood sugar over the past three months. If the level is less than 7%, the patient is in the normal range. If it is above 7%, it may indicate that blood sugar levels are too high and that the patient needs to change his or her eating habits and physical activity. The result of this examination is important because it gives you an idea of how the diabetes is being managed.
Hemoglobin analyzers are generally available in two different configurations: benchtop or portable.
EKF hemoglobin analyzer
Taidoc hemoglobin analyzer
EKF portable hemoglobin analyzer
Hemocue portable hemoglobin analyzer
Hemoglobin analyzers are inexpensive products. Depending on the brand and model, prices can vary from a few dozen euros to several hundred euros.
There are no direct risks associated with the use of a hemoglobin analyzer. The measurement of hemoglobin, however, requires a blood sample. It is therefore necessary to ensure that the equipment used for this purpose is properly sterilized to avoid any risk of infection.
The other potential risk would be a measurement error in the device that could lead to diagnostic errors potentially harmful to the patient. It is therefore necessary to regularly check that the device is properly calibrated.
No special maintenance is required for a hemoglobin analyzer. Calibration is sufficient to ensure the reliability of the results of the device.
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