Last Updated on May 16, 2025 by Analgesia team
Post Hb Meaning Medical
Post transfusion (Hb) or post-Hb is a measurement of haemoglobin levels after a blood transfusion. Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body.
Haemoglobin levels are often checked after a transfusion to assess the effectiveness of the transfusion and to identify under or over-transfusion. Some providers check haemoglobin levels 4 to 8 hours after a transfusion, while others wait 24 hours or until the next morning. Haemoglobin measurements taken at hospital discharge may be more accurate than those taken early after surgery because they account for ongoing fluid resuscitation and bleeding.
Haemoglobin levels can also be measured postpartum to identify postpartum anaemia. Postpartum anaemia is defined as a haemoglobin level of fewer than 11 grams per deciliter (g/dL). It can affect up to 50% of women 24 to 48 hours after delivery. Postpartum anaemia has been linked to a number of health issues, including depression, reduced cognition, and fatigue.
How to measure the haemoglobin levels after a blood transfusion
Haemoglobin levels after a blood transfusion can be measured by taking a blood sample and combining it with a liquid that binds to haemoglobin molecules. The amount of light absorbed by the resulting solution is then used to determine the haemoglobin levels. This can be done as part of a complete blood count (CBC).