Hemoglobin Electrophoresis

Why this test may be ordered

• To help diagnose anemia, sickle cell disease, and other hemoglobin disorders.
• As part of routine newborn screening to check for serious inherited conditions.
• During pregnancy if you are at risk of having a child with an inherited hemoglobin disorder (e.g., family history or certain ethnic backgrounds).
• If you have symptoms of anemia (shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue, headache, dizziness, irregular heartbeat) or sickle cell disease (painful swelling of hands/feet, fatigue, jaundice, severe pain).

Preparation and collection

You don't need any special preparations for a hemoglobin electrophoresis test.

A health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes. To test a newborn, a health care provider will clean your baby's heel with alcohol and poke the heel with a small needle.

There is very little risk to having a blood test. You may have slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms go away quickly. Your baby may feel a little pinch when the heel is poked, and a small bruise may form at the site.

Understanding results

Your results will show the types of hemoglobin found and the levels of each.

• Hemoglobin type levels too high or too low: Hemoglobin type levels that are too high or too low may be a sign of: Thalassemia, a condition that affects the production of hemoglobin. Limitation: Let your provider know if you've had a blood transfusion in the last 12 weeks since this can affect your results. Next step: If you or your child was diagnosed with a sickle cell disease or another hemoglobin disorder, talk to your provider about treatment options.
• Sickle cell trait: In this condition, you have one sickle cell gene and one normal gene. Most people with sickle cell trait do not have health issues. Limitation: But you can pass the sickle cell gene on to their children. Next step: If you are at risk of having a child with an inherited hemoglobin disorder, you may want to speak to a genetic counselor.
• Hemoglobin C or S-C disease: Hemoglobin C disease, a condition that causes a mild form of anemia and sometimes an enlarged spleen and joint pain. Hemoglobin S-C disease, a condition that causes a mild or moderate form of sickle cell disease. Limitation: Your results may also show whether a specific disorder is mild, moderate, or severe. Next step: If you or your child was diagnosed with a sickle cell disease or another hemoglobin disorder, talk to your provider about treatment options.

• A blood transfusion within the last 12 weeks can affect your results.
• Your provider must consider your symptoms, medical history, and other blood tests to interpret results.
• This test does not provide a complete diagnosis on its own.

What to do next

If you have questions about your results, talk to your provider.

• What do my hemoglobin levels mean for my health?
• Do I need any follow-up tests?
• If I have a hemoglobin disorder, what treatment options are available?
• Should I or my family members see a genetic counselor?

Evidence source

Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus). Practices and reference ranges may differ in your country.

U.S. National Library of Medicine: Hemoglobin Electrophoresis

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