Hemoglobin electrophoresis test is a special blood test that is used to detect and measure different types of hemoglobin in the blood.... Hemoglobin is a type of protein that is inside red blood cells.... The function of hemoglobin is to transport oxygen to the tissues and organs of the body.

Usually, genetic mutations lead to the production of undesirable hemoglobins in the body.... Unfavorable (defective, abnormal) hemoglobin leads to the fact that the oxygen that can be transported to tissues and organs is greatly reduced.

Hemoglobin is divided into hundreds of different types. The different types of hemoglobin are:

• Hemoglobin F
  It is also called fetal hemoglobin.... This type of hemoglobin is found in developing fetuses and babies.... This type of hemoglobin is replaced by hemoglobin A immediately after birth.
• Hemoglobin A
  It is also called adult hemoglobin.... This type of hemoglobin is the most common type of hemoglobin.... This type of hemoglobin is found in healthy children and adults.
• Hemoglobin C, D, E, M, S
  are a rare type of abnormal hemoglobin caused by genetic mutations.

Normal level of hemoglobin types in hemoglobin electrophoresis test

Hemoglobin electrophoresis test does not provide information about the amount of hemoglobin in the blood.... such data is obtained through a complete blood count (CBC) test.... The values ​​recorded in the hemoglobin electrophoresis test indicate different percentages of the types of hemoglobin in the blood.... The values ​​obtained in children and adults are different from each other... we will see.

1) Normal level of hemoglobin in children

Most of the hemoglobin in the blood of newborns is of the type of hemoglobin F, which is found in the fetus.. Hemoglobin F still constitutes the majority of the hemoglobin in the blood of newborns.... When the child reaches the age of one year, the amount of hemoglobin F decreases rapidly.

2) Normal level of hemoglobin in adults

The normal levels of different types of hemoglobin in the blood of adults are as follows:

What is the reason for hemoglobin electrophoresis?

• Gene mutations are inherited on the genes responsible for hemoglobin production. This way, different types of abnormal hemoglobins are created in the blood of people.
• As part of a general health measurement (screening)
  the doctor wants to know about the patient's hemoglobin status during a physical examination and a complete blood count.
• To diagnose blood diseases
  If you have symptoms of anemia, your doctor will ask for hemoglobin electrophoresis... This test will help him identify any abnormal hemoglobin in the blood... Abnormal hemoglobin can be a sign of the following diseases:
  1) sickle cell anemia
  2) thalassemia
  3) polycythemia Vera

• To monitor the treatment process
  If you are being treated for a certain disease that has led to the production of abnormal hemoglobins, your doctor will have the power to monitor the amount of different types of hemoglobin in your blood with the help of a hemoglobin electrophoresis test.
• For screening and diagnosis of genetic diseases
  People with a family history of hereditary anemia and diseases such as sickle cell anemia or thalassemia can be aware of the risks of these genetic abnormalities before having children.
  Hemoglobin electrophoresis test leads to the diagnosis of any abnormal genetic genes. Genetic disorders of hemoglobin are screened and monitored.... If you have a history of abnormal hemoglobin or anemia due to reasons other than iron deficiency, the doctor expresses his desire to perform a hemoglobin electrophoresis test on the child.

How is the hemoglobin electrophoresis test performed?

Preparing for the hemoglobin electrophoresis test does not require any special action... What should be done is to go to the laboratory to prepare a blood sample.

The laboratory specialist takes blood from your hand or arm.... for this, as usual, they first clean the blood collection site with cotton soaked in alcohol.... then a small needle is inserted into the skin.... a reservoir (tube) is connected to the needle, which is responsible for storing the blood.... when enough blood is received, the needle is removed and the injection site is covered with gauze... finally, the samples are sent to the laboratory for further analysis.

In the laboratory, the process of electrophoresis is performed. The basis of this test is that the electric current passes through the hemoglobin in the blood sample.

In this way, the types of hemoglobin are separated from each other and are placed in different bands.... In the continuation of this test, the blood sample of the person under the test is compared with the blood sample of a healthy person.... This way, the types of hemoglobin in his blood are identified.

See more: List of Hematologists

Dangers of hemoglobin electrophoresis test

Like any other blood test, hemoglobin electrophoresis also has a series of minimum risks. These risks include: bruising, bleeding, and infection at the injection site. In rare cases, the vein becomes inflamed and swollen after blood collection. take... If you suffer from a bleeding disorder or take blood thinners such as warfarin or aspirin, persistent bleeding is considered a serious problem.

Hemoglobin electrophoresis test results

If the results show abnormal hemoglobin values, the following reasons can be mentioned for such results:

• Hemoglobin C disease
  A genetic disorder that causes severe anemia.
• Rare hemoglobinopathy
  A group of genetic abnormalities that lead to the production of abnormal red blood cells or the formation of abnormal structures.
• Sickle cell anemia
• Thalassemia

If the hemoglobin electrophoresis test shows the presence of abnormal types of hemoglobin, the doctor will try to perform other tests.