noblood - Hemoglobin

Hemoglobin or haemoglobin is the iron-containing oxygen-transport protein in the red cells of the blood in mammals and other animals. The molecule consists of globin, the apoprotein, and four haem groups, an organic molecule with an iron atom.

Mutations in the gene for the hemoglobin protein result in a group of hereditary diseases termed the hemoglobinopathies, the most common members of which are sickle cell anaemia and thalassaemia.

Primary component of origin

Red blood cells

Percent of component

Approximately 33%

Production

Endogenous hemoglobin is produced in the bone marrow and built into the cell lines that eventually become red blood cells.

Pharmaceutical preparations of hemoglobin are extracted from sequestered (separated) human or bovine blood.

Medicinal Value

Whether administered by means of donor blood substitutes, hemoglobin therapy is the most direct and fast acting means of correcting anemia.

Risks

Pharmaceuticals, found in

Hemopure, Polyheme.

Alternatives

Recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO) plus oral or intravenous iron, folic acid, vitamin B12,and vitamin K, to encourage the bone marrow to step up the production of red blood cells.