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Haematology


Full details for "Haemoglobinopathy (Hb-opathy) Screen".  

Name

 Haemoglobinopathy (Hb-opathy) Screen

Alternative name/Profile

 Hb F, Hb A2, Hb H, Hb S, sickle cell screen, thalassaemia screen, haemoglobin electrophoresis

Department

 Haematology

Investigation

 Haemoglobinopathy screening for patients over 16 years of age.

Specimen type

 Peripheral blood

Sample type

Sample container & volume

 1 x 4 ml purple EDTA (or equivalent EDTA sample containers from External Hospitals acceptable also), 1 x 5ml red serum sample and a blood film.

Frequency of analysis

 Batch analysis is performed at least twice weekly.

Turnaround time

 Less than 2 weeks.

Availability

 Routine hours 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday This test is not available to GPs outside the St. James's Hospital catchment area. 

Notes

Urgent analysis available, please contact lab at 416 2394 during routine hours, 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.

External requests must be accompanied by a Haemoglobinopathy Request Form.

A copy of the most recent FBC and ferritin result is also desirable

Whole blood specimens are stable for 7 days when stored at 2-8 oC or 48 hours at ambient temperature (22-24oC).

Where a high affinity haemoglobin is suspected, please state clearly on request form.

Related links

Purpose of Test

The haemoglobinopathies are genetic disorders of haemoglobin, the oxygen carrying component of blood. There are two classes of haemoglobinopathies: 
  • Haemoglobin variants - production of an abnormal globin or protein such as Haemoglobin S, Haemoglobin C, Haemoglobin E;
  • Thalassaemias - production of an altered proportion of a normal protein, which can lead to anaemia.
The clinical severity of the haemoglobinopathies varies depending of the mutation, from clinically silent to severe life limiting diseases, to a condition which is incompatible with foetal life. Approximately 7% of the global population are carriers of clinically significant haemoglobinopathies,  making them the most common inherited monogenic diseases. These disorders, including sickle cell disease and thalassemias, are most prevalent in the tropical regions of Asia, Africa, and the Mediterranean, though migration has spread them globally. 

Reference range

Adult:

Hb A = >85%

Hb A2 = 2.3 - 3.4%

Hb F = 0.0 - 2.0%

Hb H = Not applicable (reported as positive or negative)

Hb S = Not applicable

 

 

Last updated

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 16:25:59 GMT


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