Free hemoglobin

Group: Complete blood count

Description:

Serum free hemoglobin is a blood test that measures the level of free hemoglobin in serum. Free hemoglobin is the hemoglobin outside the red blood cells. This test differs from a normal hemoglobin test because most of the hemoglobin is found inside the red blood cells and not in the serum. The role of hemoglobin is to transport oxygen in the blood. The hemoglobin test is often used to check for anemia, a condition in which the body has fewer red blood cells than normal. In anemia, the body's cells do not get all the oxygen they need. Hemoglobin tests are measured as part of a complete blood count (CBC).