Haemoglobin Electrophoresis Genotype
Haemoglobin electrophoresis assessing haemoglobin types and variants, with genotype-style reporting where the laboratory interpretation supports it.
Turnaround time
3-5 business days
Biomarkers count
1
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Overview of the Haemoglobin Electrophoresis Genotype Test
The Haemoglobin Electrophoresis Genotype test is a specialist blood investigation used to separate and assess different forms of Haemoglobin and identify abnormal haemoglobin patterns or variants.
Haemoglobin is the oxygen-carrying protein inside red blood cells.
Most adults predominantly have Haemoglobin A, with smaller proportions of other normal haemoglobin fractions.
Inherited changes in globin genes can produce structurally different forms of haemoglobin, including Haemoglobin S, C and other variants.
Electrophoresis identifies the haemoglobin pattern present in the blood and can help investigate conditions such as sickle cell disorders, beta-thalassaemia and other haemoglobinopathies.
Reports may use terminology such as Hb AA, Hb AS, Hb SS or other haemoglobin patterns where appropriate.
Importantly, haemoglobin electrophoresis is a protein-based laboratory investigation rather than full DNA sequencing.
Where molecular confirmation of a genetic variant is required, a separate genetic test may be necessary.
The Haemoglobin Electrophoresis Genotype test costs £179.99.
What Does the Haemoglobin Electrophoresis Genotype Test Check?
This test contains 1 specialist haematology investigation.
Haemoglobin Electrophoresis Genotype
Separates and analyses haemoglobin fractions to identify the predominant haemoglobin pattern and detect clinically significant haemoglobin variants where present.
Who May Benefit From the Haemoglobin Electrophoresis Genotype Test?
The test may be useful where an inherited haemoglobin variant or haemoglobinopathy requires investigation.
People requiring a haemoglobin genotype-style report - Electrophoresis can establish the haemoglobin pattern present.
People being investigated for sickle cell trait or sickle cell disease - Haemoglobin S can be identified within the haemoglobin pattern.
People with unexplained microcytosis or anaemia - Haemoglobin analysis may contribute to investigation of selected thalassaemias and haemoglobin variants.
People with a family history of haemoglobinopathy - Testing can provide information about inherited haemoglobin patterns.
Couples undergoing reproductive or antenatal assessment - Carrier status can be relevant when assessing inherited haemoglobin conditions.
People whose previous result reported an abnormal haemoglobin variant - Electrophoresis can provide further characterisation.
People needing documented haemoglobin status for a clinic or medical pathway - A laboratory report can provide the measured haemoglobin pattern.
How to Prepare
Recent transfusion can materially affect interpretation.
If a molecular genetic diagnosis rather than an electrophoretic haemoglobin pattern is required, confirm the required test before booking.
Symptoms and Reasons to Consider the Haemoglobin Electrophoresis Genotype Test
Many people carrying one haemoglobin variant have no symptoms, so testing is often performed because of family history or another blood result.
Unexplained anaemia - Certain haemoglobin disorders can affect red blood cells and Haemoglobin concentration.
Persistently low MCV or small red blood cells - This may prompt investigation for thalassaemia or other causes.
A family history of sickle cell disease or thalassaemia - Inherited haemoglobin patterns may need assessment.
A previous positive sickle-cell screening result - Electrophoresis can help characterise the haemoglobin pattern.
Preconception or antenatal carrier assessment - Haemoglobinopathy status can be important when both biological parents may carry clinically relevant variants.
A previous report showing an unusual haemoglobin fraction - Further assessment may be appropriate.
Severe anaemia, chest pain, breathlessness, acute pain crises or other significant symptoms require clinical assessment rather than relying on electrophoresis alone.
A normal electrophoresis pattern does not exclude every inherited red-cell disorder. In particular, some alpha-thalassaemia states can require additional investigation.
How to Book Your Haemoglobin Electrophoresis Genotype Test
The Haemoglobin Electrophoresis Genotype test can be booked as a specialist venous blood test.
Choose the Haemoglobin Electrophoresis Genotype Test
Select the £179.99 investigation.
Select your sample collection option
Choose an available clinic appointment or professional home blood collection.
Attend your appointment
A trained healthcare professional collects the required EDTA blood specimen.
Laboratory analysis
Haemoglobin fractions are separated and assessed for normal and abnormal patterns.
Receive your results securely
Your authorised haemoglobin electrophoresis report is delivered securely.
When Will I Receive My Results?
Results are generally expected within approximately 3–5 working days after laboratory receipt.
Further investigation of an unusual haemoglobin variant can occasionally extend the final reporting time.
Understanding Your Results
An Hb AA pattern indicates that adult Haemoglobin A is the predominant pattern and that no significant common structural haemoglobin variant has been identified by the assay.
An Hb AS pattern is commonly associated with sickle cell trait.
An Hb SS pattern can be associated with sickle cell disease, although interpretation must consider the full laboratory pattern and clinical circumstances.
Other variants, including Hb C and several less common haemoglobins, may also be identified.
Haemoglobin A2 and Haemoglobin F can provide additional information relevant to beta-thalassaemia assessment.
Electrophoresis should not be described as equivalent to DNA sequencing.
Where precise molecular confirmation is clinically required, genetic testing may be recommended.
Why Book With London Blood Tests?
London Blood Tests provides specialist haemoglobin analysis for people requiring investigation or documentation of haemoglobin variants.
Haemoglobin pattern assessment - Different haemoglobin fractions are separated and analysed.
Sickle-cell variants can be identified - Hb S can be detected within the electrophoretic pattern.
Relevant to thalassaemia assessment - The pattern can provide useful information in selected beta-thalassaemia investigations.
Useful for reproductive screening - Carrier information may be relevant before or during pregnancy.
Clear genotype-style reporting - Reports may describe patterns such as Hb AA or Hb AS where appropriate.
Professional blood collection - Clinic and suitable home collection options are available.
3–5 working day turnaround - Results are usually available within the requested timeframe.
Clear pricing - The test costs £179.99.
Private Haemoglobin Electrophoresis Genotype Blood Test in London
London Blood Tests provides private Haemoglobin Electrophoresis Genotype testing for £179.99.
The test analyses the haemoglobin pattern and can identify significant haemoglobin variants.
Results are generally expected within approximately three to five working days.