DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.90131.2026 ISSN: 0363-6135
Can hemoglobin concentration define anemia in women and men?
Xinyu Liu, Meihan Guo, Zihao Huang, David MonteroThe use of hemoglobin concentration (Hb CONC ) to diagnose anemia would be questionable if Hb CONC is not strongly correlated with aerobic capacity ([Formula: see text]). The present study reveals that Hb CONC is not associated with aerobic capacity due to the intrinsic confounding effect of plasma volume in women and men. Hemoglobin mass, a variable reflecting blood O 2 carrying capacity independently of plasma volume, determines aerobic capacity and should be considered for the diagnosis of anemia.