Haemoglobin Hb Blood Test

• To diagnose blood disorders due to abnormal haemoglobin production like sickle cell diseases, anaemias and thalassemia.
• To diagnose haemoglobinopathies in patients with a familial or genetic predisposition.
• As part of routine antenatal and newborn screening tests.

Abnormal haemoglobin studies the abnormal variants of haemoglobin like Fetal Haemoglobin (HbF), Haemoglobin A0 (HbA0), and Haemoglobin A2 (HbA2)

• Patients with suspected blood disorders like sickle cell anaemias or thalassemia.
• Those with family history of thalassemia or abnormal haemoglobinopathies. 
• Patients who have recently undergone blood transfusions.

This test requires a blood sample. A tourniquet (elastic) band is placed tightly on the upper arm. The patient is then asked to make a fist. This helps in the build-up of blood filling the veins. The skin is disinfected before needle insertion and the blood sample is collected in vacutainer.

Age, DOB, History of Blood transfusion in last 3 months, Parental/ family history of any abnormal Haemoglobin.

Foetal Haemoglobin

High HbF levels are sometimes a result of β-globin gene mutation. In adults high foetal haemoglobin levels may indicate certain blood disorders.

Mild to moderate increase in foetal haemoglobin can be seen in some acquired conditions like Pregnancy.

Haemoglobin A0

High A0 level indicates risk of blood disorder in which your bone marrow makes too many red blood cells. Please consult your physician for further analysis and treatment.

Haemoglobin A2

Abnormal Haemoglobin A2 result may indicate blood disorders like thalassemia or certain other haemoglobinopathies. Clinical correlation is required.

Based on the levels of HbF, HbA0 and HbA2, diagnosis of sickle cell anemia, Beta Thalassemia, and other blood disorders can be made.

In case of haemoglobinopathy, DNA Analysis and Genetic counselling is advised.

• Haemoglobin Test
• Fetal Haemoglobin Test
• Haemoglobin Variant Test

Foetal haemoglobin is the major haemoglobin present during gestation; it constitutes approximately 60 to 80 percent of total haemoglobin in the full-term newborn. In neonates this test helps to know the level of haemoglobin after birth. In adults this test may be recommended in case of suspected blood disorders.

Haemoglobin A0 is prepared from lysed human blood cells by sequential ion-exchange.Haemoglobin A0 measures haemoglobin levels and helps to detect blood disorder. It's most often used to help diagnose anaemia, sickle cell disease, and other haemoglobin related blood disorders.

The normal, and most common, type of haemoglobin is called haemoglobin A. Haemoglobin A2 (HbA2) is a normal variant of haemoglobin A. This test detects Beta thalassaemia and haemoglobinopathies. DNA analysis is recommended to rule out alpha thalassaemia and silent carriers