Hemoglobin Electrophoresis

It is a known fact that one of the most important constituents of blood is hemoglobin. As we all know, Hemoglobin (hb) is a type of protein that contains iron and does the job of carrying oxygen to different parts of the body. The hemoglobin is responsible for giving blood its true color. There are different kinds of proteins and to know the concentration of each, one has to undergo a hemoglobin electrophoresis test.

Hemoglobin Types
As aforementioned, the blood is a host to numerous kinds of hemoglobin. The first two mentioned below are commonly present in adults while the last one is detected only in newborns. Following are the common types of hemoglobin found in blood:

• Hemoglobin A
• Hemoglobin A2
• Hemoglobin F

These are not the only ones found in blood. Some samples of blood have shown hemoglobin belonging to a different class. Unfortunately, their presence has been linked to some kind of disease and hence they are termed as harmful. Following are the abnormal variations of hemoglobin:

• Hemoglobin S
• Hemoglobin C
• Hemoglobin H
• Hemoglobin D

Normal Results
Off all the different types of hemoglobin, the percentage of hemoglobin A is maximum. Out of the total hemoglobin present in blood, 95-98% accounts for hemoglobin A, while the rest is made up of hemoglobin A2 and hemoglobin F. Normal results of this blood test reveal absence of abnormal variations of hemoglobin.

Purpose of the Test
The main intention of advising people to undergo hemoglobin electrophoresis is to ascertain whether the different types of hemoglobin are in their normal range. This blood test finds out the level of hemoglobin present in blood. On the basis of results of this test, it is possible to evaluate the patient's health. A specific type of hemoglobin found in meager or high amounts indicates health is not well.

Interpretation of the Result
The results of the test will allow the doctors to diagnose blood disorders like thalassemia and sick cell disease. Blood disorder means the proportion of different types of hemoglobin has gone haywire and abnormal hemoglobin is also present. In case the blood test results are interpreted in the following way:

• Blood tests suggesting occurrence of Abnormal Hemoglobin (Hb E) in small amounts mean the existence of hemoglobin E trait. When hemoglobin E is present in more than normal amounts, it is hinting towards presence of hemoglobin E disease.
• In case, the blood test shows abnormally high levels of hemoglobin A2 and F, it means that the person has low-grade thalassemia
• When blood test results reveal that the concentration of hemoglobin F is more than normal and the amount of hemoglobin A is substantially low, it means that thalassemia has aggravated considerably.
• The presence of abnormal type of Hemoglobin C (Hb C) in meager amounts is pointing towards hemoglobin C trait. Similarly, too much of Hemoglobin C is pointing towards Hemoglobin C disease.
• Abnormal type of Hemoglobin C (hb S) detected in blood in moderation is indicating sickle cell trait. When the presence of abnormal Hemoglobin S is excessively high, it indicates that the person has been affected with sickle cell anemia. Pain in the joints, chest and the abdomen that may be accompanied by swelling in the hands and feet are some of the common sickle cell anemia symptoms.
• Some blood samples in hemoglobin electrophoresis tests show more than one type of Abnormal Hemoglobin (hb S and hb C). This is an indication of onset of sickle-cell disease

Overall, the blood test is a reliable tool to detect blood disorders. In case, results point out that abnormal amount of blood hemoglobin, it should not be ignored and appropriate treatment has to be taken accordingly to manage the symptoms.