This document discusses hemoglobin and blood cell disorders. It defines hemoglobin as an iron-containing protein in red blood cells that transports oxygen throughout the body. It notes the normal ranges of hemoglobin levels vary by age and sex. The document then lists and describes various causes of low hemoglobin levels and anemia, including bone marrow disorders, kidney failure, uterine fibroids, and conditions that destroy red blood cells. It also discusses polycythemia, an excess of red blood cells.

1. Hemoglobin & blood cell disorder
Week 6: Lesson-11
Md. Moniruzzaman
Senior Lecturer
Department of Pharmacy
Bangladesh University
Phone: +88 01610-744901
Email: psolutionbd@gmail.com

2. Hemoglobin
Hemoglobin is a iron-containing protein of red blood
cells (erythrocytes) that transports oxygen to the tissues
from the lung. Hemoglobin forms an unstable, reversible
bond with oxygen of the blood, in the oxygenated state it
is called oxyhemoglobin and is bright red; in the reduced
state it is purplish blue.

3. Normal range of hemoglobin
A hemoglobin level is usually checked as a part of
a complete blood count (CBC). The normal range of
hemoglobin varies depending upon on age and sex.
The average range is as follows:
For adult male: 13.8 to 17.2 g/dl
For an adult female: 12.1 to 15.1 g/dl

4. Hemoglobin functions by binding and transporting
oxygen from the capillaries in the lungs to all of the
tissues in the body.
It also plays a role in the transport of carbon dioxide
from the tissues of the body back to the lungs.
Nitric oxide and carbon monoxide are also able to
bind with hemoglobin,
Function of hemoglobin

5. Bone marrow disorders: These conditions, such
as leukemia, lymphoma, or aplastic anemia, can all cause low
red blood cell counts.
Kidney failure: When your kidneys aren’t functioning properly,
they don’t produce enough of the hormone erythropoietin that
stimulates red blood cell production.
Uterine fibroids: These are tumors that usually aren’t
cancerous, but they can cause significant bleeding, leading to
lower red blood cell counts.
Conditions that destroy red blood cells: These include sickle
cell anemia, thalassemia.
Causes of low hemoglobin content

6. The risk factors for low hemoglobin levels are as follows:
Have a condition that causes chronic bleeding, such
as gastric ulcers, colon polyps, or heavy menstrual
periods
Deficiency of folate, iron, or vitamin B-12
Pregnancy
Were involved in a traumatic accident, such as a car
Risk factors of low hemoglobin content

7. Structure of Hemoglobin
Hemoglobin consists of globin and heme pigment. Globin
consists of two  and two  subunits. Each subunit binds
to a heme group. Each heme group bears an atom of iron,
which binds reversibly with one molecule of oxygen.

8. Production of Erythrocytes
Hematopoiesis: Refers to whole blood cell production. The
red bone marrow is a network of reticular connective tissue
that borders on wide blood capillaries called blood sinusoids.
As hemocytoblasts mature, they migrate through the thin walls
of the sinusoids to enter the blood.
All blood cells, including red and white, are produced in red
bone marrow.

9. Production of Erythrocytes (Contd..)
Erythropoiesis: Refers specifically to red blood cell
production. Erythrocytes are produced throughout whole
life to replace dead cells.
Stages of Erythropoiesis

10. Feedback Regulation of Erythropoiesis
Erythropoiesis is regulated by renal oxygen content.
Erythropoietin stimulates erythrocyte production in the red
bone marrow
Erythropoietin a glycoprotein hormone, is produced by renal
cells in response to a decreased renal blood O2 content.
Dietary Requirements for Erythropoiesis: Iron, vitamin
B12, folic acid
More important to women due to the loss of blood during
menstruation

11. Anemia: It is a condition in which the blood has an
abnormally low oxygen-carrying capacity.
Erythrocyte Disorders
Common causes of anemia:
 An insufficient number of red blood cells
 Decreased hemoglobin content
 Abnormal hemoglobin
Two such examples are Thalassemias and Sickle-cell
anemia, which are caused by genetic defects.

12. Common causes of polycythemia:
 Bone marrow cancer
 A response to reduced availability of oxygen as at
high altitudes
Polycythemia: It is an abnormal excess of erythrocytes
that increases the viscosity of the blood, causing it to
sludge or flow sluggishly.
Erythrocyte Disorders (Contd..)