Hemoglobin: Young Adults vs Older Adults
Compare health metrics between young adults and older adults.
- Group A has no percentile data
- Group B has no percentile data
💡 Key Insight
Young Adults (18-29) have slightly higher hemoglobin values (6.3% higher than Older Adults (60-69)).
Percentile Comparison
| Percentile | Young Adults (18-29) | Older Adults (60-69) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5th | 14 g/dL | 13 g/dL | -7.1% |
| 25th | 15 g/dL | 14 g/dL | -6.7% |
| 50th | 16 g/dL | 15 g/dL | -6.3% |
| 75th | 17 g/dL | 16 g/dL | -5.9% |
| 95th | 18 g/dL | 17 g/dL | -5.6% |
| Mean | 16 g/dL | 15 g/dL | -6.3% |
Visual Comparison
🔬 Hemoglobin & Oxygen Transport
Hemoglobin is the iron-containing protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. Its concentration is tightly regulated, with both low (anemia) and high (polycythemia) levels causing health problems. Reference ranges differ significantly by sex due to testosterone's effect on red blood cell production.
Key Research Findings
- Iron deficiency is the most common cause of anemia worldwide
- Altitude adaptation increases hemoglobin levels naturally
- Dehydration can falsely elevate hemoglobin readings
- Chronic diseases often cause "anemia of inflammation" with distinct mechanisms
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Why is hemoglobin similar between Young Adults (18-29) and Older Adults (60-69)?
Hemoglobin differences between sexes are well-established, with testosterone stimulating red blood cell production. This is why sex-specific reference ranges are essential for accurate diagnosis.
Source: NIHHow should I interpret my hemoglobin compared to these benchmarks?
Find your appropriate demographic group and percentile range. Being in the 25th-75th percentile (middle 50%) is typical. Percentiles below 5th or above 95th may warrant discussion with a healthcare provider, though clinical context is essential—a single measurement rarely tells the whole story.
Source: Clinical GuidelinesHow reliable is this comparison data?
This data comes from the CDC's National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a continuously conducted survey that uses rigorous sampling methodology to represent the U.S. civilian non-institutionalized population. Sample sizes typically exceed 5,000 per demographic group, with weighted analysis accounting for the complex survey design.
Source: CDC NHANESWhat This Comparison Means
Understanding differences in hemoglobin between young adults (18-29) and older adults (60-69) is important for:
- Accurate benchmarking – Compare yourself to the appropriate reference population
- Clinical interpretation – Healthcare providers use demographic-specific ranges
- Research understanding – Biological and lifestyle factors influence these differences
- Personalized health goals – Set realistic targets based on your demographic
Explore This Metric
📊 View full Hemoglobin benchmarks with interactive percentile calculator→Data Transparency & Sources
Content Information
About this page: This page combines data from authoritative sources with AI-assisted analysis to provide comprehensive metric benchmarks. The content has been written and reviewed by our team to ensure accuracy, relevance, and quality.
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