Hemoglobin Electrophoresis

Hemoglobin electrophoresis is a laboratory test in which electrophoretic separation of hemoglobins is performed in order to detect and identify different forms of hemoglobin in a person's blood. This test is commonly used to diagnose and monitor some conditions and blood disorders such as sickle cell disease, thalassemia and other forms of hemoglobinopathies.

Preparation

Patients don't need to prepare for the test, however, before the test they have to provide some clinical information in order to provide a proper interpretation of the results.

Procedure

The procedure involves collecting a sample of the patient's blood and then running it through a special electrophoretic gel. The gel separates the different types of hemoglobins based on their individual charge. The different types of hemoglobins move at different speeds through the gel and can then be visualized using a special dye. The resulting patterns on the gel are then compared to a reference chart in order to determine which types of hemoglobins are present in the patient's blood.

Types

The most common types of hemoglobin electrophoresis are:

Hemoglobin A: This is the most common type of hemoglobin found in healthy individuals and consists of two alpha-globin and two beta-globin chains.
Hemoglobin A2: This type of hemoglobin consists of two alpha-globin and two delta-globin chains.
Hemoglobin F: This type of hemoglobin consists of two alpha-globin and two gamma-globin chains.

Risks

The procedure of hemoglobin electrophoresis is a safe test with minimal risks. However, complications may occur due to the collection of the blood sample, such as infection, light-headedness, and minor bleeding.

Why Is It Done?

Hemoglobin electrophoresis is primarily used to diagnose and monitor certain types of blood disorders, such as sickle cell disease, thalassemia and other hemoglobinopathies. It is also used to investigate anemia or other abnormal hemoglobin levels.

When Is It Done?

Hemoglobin electrophoresis may be done as part of a routine check-up or in cases where a patient has symptoms that suggest an underlying blood disorder.