Hemoglobin electrophoresis

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Hemoglobin electrophoresis
hemoglobin SC disease, and control sample.
SpecialtyHematology

Hemoglobin electrophoresis is a blood test that can detect different types of hemoglobin. The test can detect hemoglobin S, the form associated with sickle cell disease, as well as other abnormal types of hemoglobin, such as hemoglobin C. It can also be used to investigate thalassemias, which are disorders caused by defective hemoglobin production.

Procedure

The test uses the principles of

optical density of the bands, though this method is not reliable for hemoglobins that are present in low quantities.[2]

Because hemoglobins exhibit different migration patterns depending on the pH level, testing the same sample at both an acid and an alkaline pH can help to identify some abnormal hemoglobins that would otherwise be impossible to distinguish from others.[3]: 437 

Clinical significance

Adult human blood normally contains three types of hemoglobin:

hemoglobin F.[3]: 140  If abnormal hemoglobin variants such as hemoglobin S (which occurs in sickle cell disease), C or E are present, they will appear as unexpected bands on electrophoresis (provided they do not migrate to the same place as other hemoglobins).[1]

Hemoglobin electrophoresis can also be used to investigate

alpha-thalassemia trait, electrophoresis results are effectively normal.[4]

History

capillary zone electrophoresis, and high-performance liquid chromatography.[2]

References

  1. ^
    ISBN 978-1-4443-9857-1
    .
  2. ^
    ISBN 978-0-521-88160-9
    .
  3. ^
    ISBN 978-0-323-23906-6
    .
  4. ISBN 978-0-323-41315-2
    .
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hemoglobin_electrophoresis&oldid=1084254836"