Normal Values of Hemoglobin Mass and Blood Volume in Young, Active Women and Men

Hemoglobin mass (Hbmass) and total blood volume (BV) determine the oxygen content in the blood. Varying anthropometric values are used to standardize blood volume and Hbmass. The aim of this study was to create normal values and to evaluate an anthropometric reference for Hbmass and BV. One hundred healthy young subjects participated in this study (50 women: 20.9 +/- 2.0yr; 50 men: 23.2 +/- 2.9yr). The Hbmass was measured twice by using a CO rebreathing method. The BV was calculated from the Hbmass, Hb concentration and hematocrit values. The lean body mass (LBM) was measured by a bio-impedance analysis. Women had a significant lower Hbmass per kg LBM compared with that of men (13.6 +/- 1.3g vs. 16.1 +/- 1.7g; p<0.0001). The BV per kg LBM tended to be lower in women than in men (105.3 +/- 8.4ml vs. 108.7 +/- 9.0ml; p=0.0548). LBM had the best correlation with Hbmass (r=0.9274) and BV (0.9233) when considering the entire study group. Normal values of Hbmass and BV could be potentially useful for fluid management and contribute to the diagnosis of blood disorders. For normalization and assessment of measured BV and Hbmass, lean body mass should be prioritized in future studies instead of body weight or body surface area.