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Medical Video: Hemoglobin Electrophoresis
Definition
What is hemoglobin electrophoresis?
Hemoglobin electrophoresis is a blood test that is performed to check the types of hemoglobin in the blood. Hemoglobin is the essence of red blood cells that carry oxygen.
The most common type of normal hemoglobin, is:
- Hemoglobin A. This type of hemoglobin is the most common in adults. Some types of diseases, such as acute thalassemia, can cause hemoglobin A levels to be lower and hemoglobin F to increase.
- Hemoglobin F (fetal hemoglobin). This type of hemoglobin is the most common in fetuses and newborns. Hemoglobin F will soon be replaced with hemoglobin A postnatal; only a little of hemoglobin F is formed after birth. Several types of diseases, such as sickle cell disease, aplastic anemia, and leukemia, have abnormal types of hemoglobin and higher amounts of hemoglobin F
- Hemoglobin A2. This type of hemoglobin is commonly found in adults in small amounts.
There are more than 350 types of abnormal hemoglobin. The most common type of abnormal hemoglobin, is:
- Hemoglobin S. This type of hemoglobin is commonly found in sickle cell disease.
- Hemoglobin C. This type of hemoglobin cannot carry oxygen properly.
- Hemoglobin E. This type of hemoglobin is commonly found in people of Southeast Asian descent.
- Hemoglobin D. This type of hemoglobin is commonly found in some types of sickle cell disease.
- Hemoglobin S and hemoglobin C. Commonly found by electrophoresis test.
Electrophoresis uses electrical waves to separate normal and abnormal hemoglobin in the blood. Different types of hemoglobin, different electrical loads and move at different speeds. The amount of each hemoglobin in the blood stream will be measured.
An unusual amount of hemoglobin, whether normal or abnormal, in the blood may indicate a potential for developing disease. An abnormal type of hemoglobin may appear even without other signs, causing mild symptoms that have no symptoms, or life-threatening diseases. For example, hemoglobin S found in sickle cell disease, is a chronic abnormality in the blood and causes serious problems.
When do I have to undergo hemoglobin electrophoresis?
A hemoglobin electrophoresis test is performed if a medical officer suspects you have abnormalities in the blood caused by an abnormal form of hemoglobin (hemoglobinopathy).
Prevention & warning
What should I know before undergoing hemoglobin electrophoresis?
If you are planning a pregnancy and you find abnormal type of hemoglobin in your blood, maybe you should consider genetic counseling. This counseling can help you and your partner to check your chances of having children who inherit certain types of anemia (such as sickle cell disease or thalassemia).
Process
What should I do before undergoing hemoglobin electrophoresis?
There is no special preparation ahead of the HFE test, unless you are consulting with your doctor if you are on iron therapy for this type of anemia with low iron levels.
What is the process of hemoglobin electrophoresis?
The doctor will take a blood sample on your arm or your elbow fold, after sterilizing the injection area with alcohol. In certain cases, the doctor will tighten the elastic belt on your upper arm to make the blood flow more profusely. That way, collecting blood samples will be easier. The injection will be inserted into the arm to suck blood, which will then be accommodated by a small tube at the other end of the injection.
When the blood sample is enough, the doctor will remove the injection from your arm and close the injection area with a bandage to stop the bleeding.
What should I do after undergoing hemoglobin electrophoresis?
You will be scheduled to receive and discuss the results. Your doctor will then explain the meaning of the results found during the test. Follow the doctor's rules.
Explanation of Test Results
What do the test results mean?
There are several possible results, such as:
Normal results in infants and children
The normal hemoglobin level in children is:
- Hb F (neonatal): 50% - 80%
- Hb F (6 months): 8%
- Hb F (> 6 months): 1% - 2%
Normal results in adults
Normal hemoglobin levels in adults, are:
- Hb A: 95% - 98%
- Hb A2: 2% - 3%
- Hb F: 0.8% - 2%
- HB S: 0%
- Hb C: 0%
The normal percentage range may be different in each laboratory. Some laboratories use different measurement methods, or use different samples. Discuss with your doctor about the results you have received.
Abnormal results
If your test results show abnormal hemoglobin levels, this will result in the following:
- Hemoglobin C disease (hereditary disease which results in acute anemia)
- rare hemoglobinopathy (a group of hereditary diseases that causes abnormal red cell production or structure)
- sickle cell anemia
- thalassemia
If you have an abnormal hemoglobin level, therapy will be based on the main disease. Hemoglobin C is usually treated with folic acid supplements to help your body produce normal red blood cells. Sickle cell anemia can be overcome by a spinal cord transplant. If not, your doctor will help you treat the disease by preventing a crisis. If you have thalassemia, recommendations for therapy will be based on the nature and severity of the disease.
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
