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Hemoglobin Electrophoresis
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Lab Tests

Hemoglobin Electrophoresis

Hemoglobin electrophoresis measures different types of hemoglobin in the blood to diagnose disorders like sickle cell disease and thalassemia.

What is hemoglobin electrophoresis?

Hemoglobin electrophoresis is a test that measures the different types of hemoglobin in your blood and checks for hemoglobinopathy (disorders involving abnormal hemoglobin). Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. Abnormal hemoglobin can change the shape of red blood cells, causing them to clump, block blood flow, and lead to anemia.

Normal types: Hemoglobin A (HgbA) and Hemoglobin F (HgbF).

Abnormal types:

  • Hemoglobin S: Causes sickle cell disease.
  • Hemoglobin C: Can cause a mild form of anemia.
  • Hemoglobin E: Often causes no symptoms or mild anemia.

Why do I need this test?

You may need this test if you have symptoms of anemia or sickle cell disease, such as fatigue, shortness of breath, jaundice, or severe pain. It is also used for newborn screening and during pregnancy if you are at risk of passing on an inherited hemoglobin disorder.

What happens during the test?

For adults, a blood sample is taken from a vein in the arm. For newborns, a small amount of blood is collected via a heel prick.

What do the results mean?

Results show the types and levels of hemoglobin present. Abnormal levels may indicate:

  • Thalassemia: A condition where the body does not make enough hemoglobin.
  • Sickle cell trait: You carry one sickle cell gene but usually have no health issues.
  • Sickle cell disease: A group of disorders causing stiff, sickle-shaped red blood cells.
  • Hemoglobin C disease or S-C disease.

If you are at risk for an inherited disorder, your provider may refer you to a genetic counselor to help you understand the condition and the risks of passing it to your children. Always inform your provider if you have had a blood transfusion in the last 12 weeks, as this can affect your results.

Frequently Asked Questions

No special preparation is required; you can eat and drink normally. For adults a standard venipuncture is performed, and for infants a heel‑prick sample is taken. Risks are minimal—slight bruising or discomfort at the needle site.
The newborn screen flags the presence of abnormal hemoglobin variants (e.g., HbS, HbC, HbE). Hemoglobin electrophoresis separates and quantifies each type of hemoglobin, confirming which variant is present and at what percentage. This determines whether the baby has sickle cell disease, sickle cell trait, another hemoglobinopathy, or a combination (e.g., HbS‑β‑thalassemia), guiding counseling, prophylactic antibiotics, and follow‑up care.
low level of HbS (typically 5‑15 %) in the presence of normal HbA indicates sickle cell trait, meaning you carry one sickle gene but usually have no health problems. Sickle cell disease generally shows a much higher proportion of HbS (often > 50 %) and reduced or absent HbA. Your clinician will interpret the exact percentages in the context of your overall hemoglobin profile.
Yes. Even if you have no symptoms, testing is recommended because sickle cell trait (one copy of the sickle gene) is common and can have implications for family planning, certain medications (e.g., dapsone), and rare complications like hematuria or splenic infarction at high altitude. Hemoglobin electrophoresis will tell you whether you are a carrier (trait) or have a disease‑causing genotype.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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