Haemoglobin M
Last updated: Wednesday, 28, April, 2004
| Item | Process |
|---|---|
| Specimen | 5 mL blood in any anticoagulant. |
| Method | Spectrophotometry and electrophoresis on a lysate of washed red cells. See Haemoglobin electrophoresis, Haemoximetry and Methaemoglobin, sulphaemoglobin - blood. |
| Application | Investigation of chronic unesplained cyanosis. Suspicion of hereditary methaemoglobinaemia. |
| Interpretation | Methaemoglobinaemia due to inerited haemoglobinopathy is defined by the presence of haemoglobin M. |
| Reference | Dacie JV and Lewis SM. Practical Haematology. 8th ed. Churchill Livingstone 1995. Blain B. Haemoglobinopathy Diagnosis. Blackwell Science 2001. |