Haemoglobin electrophoresis
Last updated: Friday, 02, April, 2004
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| Item | Process |
|---|---|
| Specimen | 5 mL blood in any anticoagulant. |
| Method | Electrophoresis of a lysate of washed red cells; haemoglobins identified by mobility. |
| Reference Interval | Normal adult: mainly HbA, small amounts HbA2 (1.5-3.5%), HbF (<1%). |
| Application | Possible thalassaemia or haemoglobinopathy, with haemolysis, erythrocytosis, or cyanosis. |
| Interpretation | Haemoglobin variants with abnormal electrophoretic mobility will be detected eg, HbS, HbE. |
| Reference | Working Party of the General Haematology Task Force of the British Committee for Standards in Haematology. Br J of Haematol 1998; 101: 783-792. |