Some people learn that their hemoglobin is low when they try to donate blood. Being turned down for blood donation isn't necessarily a cause for concern. You can have a hemoglobin count that's fine for you but doesn't meet the standards blood donation centers set.

If your hemoglobin count is only a little under the required level, particularly if you've been accepted for blood donation in the past, you might just need to wait a couple of months and try again. If the problem continues, make an appointment with your healthcare professional.

Make an appointment if you have symptoms

If you have symptoms of a low hemoglobin count, make an appointment with your healthcare team. Symptoms can include:

• Fatigue
• Pale skin and gums
• Shortness of breath
• A fast or irregular heartbeat

Your healthcare team might recommend a complete blood count test to determine whether you have a low hemoglobin count. If your test reveals that you have a low hemoglobin count, you'll likely need more testing to determine the cause.