Hemoglobin electrophoresis

Explanation

Hemoglobin electrophoresis separates and measures different types of hemoglobin in a blood sample. Hemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. The test can help identify inherited changes in this protein.

What does the report show?

The report lists the hemoglobin types found and their proportions. This is different from a routine hemoglobin result, which measures the overall amount. The pattern may help investigate conditions such as sickle cell disease or thalassemia, which affects hemoglobin production.

Finding a variant does not always mean someone has the disease. For example, sickle cell trait means a person has one sickle cell gene and one usual copy. This differs from sickle cell disease. A genetic counselor can explain what a result means for the person and their family.

What else affects interpretation?

Age matters because babies normally have different hemoglobin proportions from adults. A recent blood transfusion can also change the pattern. Tell the clinician about any transfusion before the result is interpreted.

The pattern is considered with the blood count, symptoms and history. Further testing may be needed to clarify the result.

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