HealthTip: Hemoglobin

Continuing on with my explanation of blood tests, today I will discuss hemoglobin.
Hemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells, responsible for carrying oxygen away from the lungs to the body's tissues. A blood test for hemoglobin measures the amount of this protein in the blood. Low hemoglobin levels could be related to anemia, over-hydration, bleeding, red blood cell destruction, iron deficiency, folate deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency, and/ or vitamin B6 deficiency. In addition, certain diseases and infections may cause hemoglobin levels to drop.

A low hemoglobin may be normal in some people and not be a sign of any deficiency.  However, if you experience symptoms such as:

• Fatigue
• Faster than normal heartbeat during exercise or activity
• Shortness of breath
• Pale skin and gums
• Lack of energy

you may want to speak with your physician about having your hemoglobin and iron levels checked.

Information Sources:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003645.htm
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/low-hemoglobin/MY01183

HealthTip: Childhood Egg Allergy

Eggs are a healthy and affordable source of protein. However, egg is a common allergy which may trigger serious allergic reactions in some children. In the past, the avoidance of eggs and egg products in those with serious allergic reactions would be recommended; but new research suggests children may grow out of allergies they experienced as infants. For example, ~70% of infants allergic to cows milk may grow out of this allergy by the age of 5-6 years.
In a new study from the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers wanted to find out if exposing children with egg allergy to small but increasing doses of egg would desensitize them. Egg white powder or a placebo was first given to 55 children between the ages of 5-11 years. Those who tolerated the egg white powder were given cooked egg. If no allergic reactions were observed, eggs were re-introduced into the diet and the children were evaluated after 6 and 12 months. Results showed that 28% of the children in the study were able to eat eggs successfully.
These new studies suggest that exposing children to small amounts of their food allergen may help build up tolerance. However, if your child has a life threatening response to a certain food, trialing the food should always be discussed and planned with a physician to ensure the safety of your child.

Information Source:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/videos/news/egg_allergy_071912.html

HealthTip: Serum Albumin

Often times we get our blood work done but have no idea of what the values or tests mean. I will be posting an explanation of common blood tests conducted over the next few days, and today I will begin with serum albumin.
Albumin is a protein made by the liver that helps transport molecules such as calcium, bilirubin and progesterone (hormone) through the blood. Albumin also helps keep fluid in the blood from leaking out into the body's tissues.
A blood test for serum albumin measures the amount of this protein in the clear portion of blood. This test can help screen for liver disease, kidney disease, or if the body is not absorbing enough protein.
It is important to note that albumin levels can be affected with hydration (albumin may be low when there is too much fluid in the body, or high when the body is dehydrated), inflammation, and during infections. Therefore, it may not be reliable to screen for liver or kidney disease, or protein malnutrition with serum albumin when patients are suffering from infection or are over-hydrated or dehydrated.

Information Sources:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003480.htm

Update

Just an update to those who check this blog. It has been a few very busy months of completing my dietetics internship and beginning my new job! I will be working as a clinical dietitian at multiple acute care sites and will also be working at a cancer agency. I hope to now have a bit more time to blog and get back into the flow of posting updates more often. I have been using twitter to drop a few short and sweet tips a few times a week, so please follow me there if you're interested. If you've got any questions of your own, feel free to post on this blog and I'll get back to you as soon as possible.

Thanks for following,
The New R.D.