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🧪 Hemoglobinopathy Profile – HbF / HbS (with Graph): Clinical Overview

This test provides quantitative and visual representation (usually via HPLC or Capillary Electrophoresis) of various hemoglobin fractions, especially HbF (Fetal Hemoglobin) and HbS (Sickle Hemoglobin). It helps in diagnosing and classifying hemoglobinopathies such as Sickle Cell Disease and Thalassemias.

✅ What is Measured?

The test identifies and quantifies types of hemoglobin:

Hemoglobin Type	Description
HbA (Adult hemoglobin)	Normal hemoglobin in healthy adults
HbA2	Slightly elevated in beta-thalassemia trait
HbF (Fetal hemoglobin)	Normally <1% in adults; increased in β-thalassemia, HPFH
HbS	Indicates Sickle Cell Trait or Sickle Cell Disease when present
Other variants (HbC, HbE, HbD)	Detected if present, depending on population

📊 Typical Graph Output (HPLC/CE)

The graph shows peaks at various retention times corresponding to specific hemoglobin types:

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| ▲

| | HbS

| | ▲

| | |

| HbA | HbF | HbA2

| ▲ | ▲ | ▲

| | | | | |

|____|____________|__________________|______|_____|______→ Time

0 min 1.5 min 2.5 min 3.5 4.0 min

Each peak’s height and area represent the proportion of that hemoglobin type in the sample.

📈 Result Interpretation

Hemoglobin Pattern	Suggestive Diagnosis
HbA only	Normal
HbS ~35–45% + HbA ~50–60%	Sickle Cell Trait (heterozygous)
HbS >80%, HbF elevated, no HbA	Sickle Cell Disease (homozygous or compound heterozygous)
HbF >10–20%	β-thalassemia major, HPFH, or post-treatment with hydroxyurea
HbA2 >3.5%	Beta-thalassemia trait
Unusual peaks	Rare variants (HbE, HbC, HbD, etc.)

🧠 Associated Organs and Conditions

Organs/System	Conditions
Blood	Sickle Cell Disease, Trait, Beta Thalassemia (Major/Minor), HPFH
Bone Marrow	Marrow compensation in chronic anemia
Liver & Spleen	Often enlarged in hemoglobinopathies due to hemolysis

🔄 Related Tests

CBC with RBC indices (MCV, MCH)
Iron studies (to distinguish from IDA)
Genetic Testing (for confirmation)
Peripheral Smear
LDH, Bilirubin, Reticulocyte count (for hemolysis)

❌ Fasting Requirement

Test	Fasting Required
Hemoglobinopathy Profile (HbF/HbS)	❌ Not required

📝 Summary Table

Parameter	Description
What	Measures HbF, HbS, HbA, HbA2, and other variants using HPLC or CE
Purpose	Diagnose or screen for Sickle Cell Disease, β-thalassemia, HPFH, and related disorders
Graph	Shows quantitative peaks for each hemoglobin type
Normal	HbA ~96–98%, HbF <1%, HbA2 1.5–3.5%, HbS absent
Abnormal	Presence/elevation of HbS or HbF indicates hemoglobinopathy
Follow-up	CBC, iron profile, smear, genetic studies
Fasting	❌ Not required

Hemoglobinopathy Profile - HbF/HbS (with Graph)