D74.9: Methaemoglobinaemia, unspecified
Blood is made up of a liquid part and different blood cells, among other things. The blood cells include the red blood cells, the white blood cells and the platelets. The red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs throughout the body. Red blood cells contain the red hemoglobin that gives blood its color. This pigment is important for carrying oxygen in the blood.
The changed red hemoglobin is no longer able to transport oxygen in the blood. The blood usually only contains a small amount of this changed red hemoglobin. If the proportion of changed red hemoglobin is bigger than usual, though, the blood as a whole contains less oxygen. If the oxygen supply to the body decreases, you can be short of breath or get palpitations. You may feel nauseous or dizzy. The skin may also turn blue-gray.
If you have a lot of changed red hemoglobin you can be severely ill.
There are different reasons why someone has more changed red hemoglobin in their blood than usual. For example, various substances such as certain medications or substances in the environment can change the red hemoglobin. The disorder may also be congenital. You may then have few symptoms.
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For a complete understanding of your condition and what the diagnosis means for you, please speak directly with your doctor.