Haemoglobin Variant Studies (Haemoglobin Hb Blood Test), EDTA Blood

Haemoglobin Variant Studies (Hb Electrophoresis), EDTA Blood Details in Brief

What Does the Hb Electrophoresis Test Measure?

The test examines the types of haemoglobin present in your blood and their relative amounts to provide comprehensive insights:

• Identifies different haemoglobin types, including normal variants like Haemoglobin A0 (Hb A0), A2 (HbA2), and foetal haemoglobin (HbF).
• Measures the percentage of each haemoglobin type to identify abnormal proportions that may indicate disorders like thalassemia and sickle cell disease.
• Evaluates haemoglobin variants that can cause chronic anaemia or other health conditions.
• Assesses genetic traits that may be passed to future generations.

How Long Does It Take to Get an Hb Electrophoresis Test Report?

Reports are usually available within 10 hours once the sample reaches the lab.

The Hb electrophoresis test, also known as the haemoglobin electrophoresis test, is a blood test that separates and measures different types of haemoglobin in your red blood cells. Haemoglobin is the protein responsible for carrying oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body.

It helps doctors identify abnormal types of haemoglobin and diagnose inherited
blood disorders known as haemoglobinopathies, such as sickle cell anaemia and thalassemia.

The test follows a standard blood
collection procedure performed by trained healthcare professionals:

• A healthcare professional cleans the area on your arm, usually inside your elbow, with an antiseptic.
• A tourniquet is tied around your upper arm to make the vein more visible and accessible.
• A sterile needle is inserted into the vein to collect approximately 3 ml of blood into an EDTA tube.
• The needle is removed, and a cotton ball or bandage is applied to prevent bleeding.
• Your blood sample is labelled and sent to the laboratory for analysis using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).
• The HPLC method separates different haemoglobin types based on their electrical charge and measures their percentages.