Hemoglobin electrophoresis is a blood test that identifies different types of hemoglobin and their ratios in a patient’s blood. It is used to diagnose diseases and evaluate treatment effectiveness, and can identify abnormal hemoglobins such as sickle cell disease. The test uses protein electrophoresis to distinguish between different types of hemoglobin based on their electrical charge and migration speed.
Hemoglobin electrophoresis is a blood test that uses protein electrophoresis. Doctors use it to determine the different types of hemoglobin in a patient’s blood and the ratio in which the different types occur. This test is commonly performed to determine whether certain types of disease are present, whether a patient carries a certain condition, and to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment for hemoglobin disorders. More than 400 different types of abnormal hemoglobin have been identified, all with varying levels of clinical significance.
To perform the test, a technician takes a blood sample from the patient and sends it to the laboratory for analysis. The principle behind hemoglobin electrophoresis is that each type of hemoglobin has a different electrical charge and can be distinguished accordingly. Doctors perform electrophoresis using some form of transport medium, usually a solid gel plate with a set pH. At one end of the plate is a series of wells that have been cut into the gel. The patient’s blood sample is added to the wells along with a load control sample and known identities.
Medical staff then apply an electric current to the gel. The different types of hemoglobin migrate from wells at the cathodic, or negative, end of the gel to the anodic, or positive, end. Hemoglobin travels during hemoglobin electrophoresis at different speeds and forms visually identifiable bands in the gel depending on the type. The different types of hemoglobin travel known distances and therefore can be easily identified by the pattern that appears. The different thicknesses of the bands indicate the amount of each particular hemoglobin present.
Hemoglobin electrophoresis can be very important in determining abnormal hemoglobins which may have clinical implications for the patient. For example, a condition called sickle cell disease can be identified with this technique. Sickle cell is indicated by the presence of hemoglobin S (HbS). Hemoglobin electrophoresis can further identify whether the patient actually has the disease or is a carrier of the trait, which can be passed on to one’s children.
During the test, if the patient does not have the condition or stroke, no band at the known charge appears. If the patient has sickle cell trait, a moderate band is formed. For those with the condition, a thicker band becomes apparent. The results can be further quantified using high performance liquid chromatography, which indicates the amount of HbS as a percentage.
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