Preferred Sample Type
Sample Preparation
Haemoglobinopathy screening can be added to a request upto 72 hours from the time of venepuncture. Please contact the laboratory to check if a sample is available on Ext. 40198 (BHH) or 47279 (GHH).Turnaround Time
3 daysSample Stability
4°C for 3 daysHaemoglobinopathy Screening
General Information
Haemoglobinopathy screening is performed to identify abnormal haemoglobins such as sickle haemoglobin, and thalassaemias. It is important to identify such conditions particularly in ante-natal screening and for operations requiring anaesthesia. Abnormal Haemoglobins detected on HPLC will be confirmed using capillary electrophoresis. For more uncommon conditions it may be neccesary to refer the sample toCentral Middlesex Hospital for confirmatory testing. This may take several weeks for a definitive result.
Notes
Result interpretation is difficult in patients who have received a recent transfusion. If the patient has received a transfusion the haemoglobinopathy screen must be repeated after 4 months.
Please note patients with T-cell disorders may present with a falseley elevated HbA2
Reference Range
HbA2 1.5 - 3.5% HbF Adult <1% HbF Pregnant Female <5%
Specifications
- EQA Scheme?: Yes
- EQA Status: NEQAS