What does "Hgb" stand for in medical diagnostics?

"Hgb" stands for hemoglobin, which is a vital protein found in red blood cells responsible for transporting oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body and facilitating the return of carbon dioxide from the tissues back to the lungs. In medical diagnostics, measuring hemoglobin levels is crucial as it provides essential information about a patient’s oxygen-carrying capacity and can indicate various health conditions, such as anemia, polycythemia, and other blood disorders. Hemoglobin levels are typically assessed through a complete blood count (CBC), making it an integral part of evaluating a patient’s overall health. The presence of inadequate or excessive hemoglobin can significantly impact a person's health, thus its measurement is a standard procedure in clinical settings.