Check for sickle cell disease or sickle cell trait with this sickle cell phenotype test and haemoglobinopathy screen.
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Haematology
Haemoglobin A0
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Haemoglobin A2
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Haemoglobin Phenotype
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Sickle Solubility Test
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Red blood cells
Haemoglobin
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Haemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells which carries oxygen around the body and gives the blood its red colour. This test measures the amount of haemoglobin in the blood and is a good measure of the blood's ability to carry oxygen around the body.
Haematocrit
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HCT (haematocrit) measures the amount of space (volume) within the blood that is taken up by red blood cells.
Red cell count
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Red Blood Cell (RBC) Count analyses the number of red blood cells in the blood. Red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body, where it can be used to fuel energy processes such as movement and respiration. They also carry carbon dioxide produced from cells back to the lungs so that it can be exhaled.
MCV
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MCV (mean corpuscular volume) reflects the average size of your red blood cells. This is important to measure, as it can indicate how much oxygen your cells are likely to be transporting around the body.
MCH
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MCH (mean corpuscular haemoglobin) measures the average amount of haemoglobin contained in one of your red blood cells.
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FAQs
What can this test tell me?
This test checks for abnormal haemoglobin in your blood. Haemoglobin is found in the red blood cells and helps to carry oxygen. There are different types of haemoglobin, including haemoglobin S (HbS), which is associated with sickle cell disease. If you have high levels of HbS it most likely means that you are a carrier of sickle cell disease (sickle cell trait) or have the disease itself (sickle cell disease). This test also checks for anaemia, which is almost always present with sickle cell disease.
Does this test look at my genes for sickle cell disease?
No, we don’t offer genetic testing for sickle cell. However, this test looks at your haemoglobin phenotype which is a very accurate way of detecting your sickle cell status.
Can this test distinguish between sickle cell disease and sickle cell trait?
No, we don’t offer genetic testing for sickle cell. However, this test looks at your haemoglobin phenotype which is a very accurate way of detecting your sickle cell status.
How accurate is this test at detecting sickle cell disease?
This test will reliably pick up almost all cases of sickle cell disease and sickle cell trait. Only in very rare cases, unusual haemoglobin variants might not be detected and may require further genetic testing to confirm sickle cell disease.
Can this test detect if I'm likely to have a child with sickle cell disease?
This test can determine whether you’re a carrier for sickle cell disease, but your chances of passing on having a child with sickle cell disease will depend on whether your partner is also affected. For example, two parents with sickle cell trait have a one in four chance of having a child with sickle cell disease.
Limitations of the test
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Hb electrophoresis can sometimes fail to distinguish between sickle cell disease or trait and other hemoglobinopathies, such as HbC disease or β-thalassemia, especially when multiple abnormal haemoglobin types are detected. Additional genetic testing might be required to accurately diagnose these conditions.