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Hemoglobin electrophoresis - Results

Alternative Names

Hb electrophoresis; Hgb electrophoresis; Electrophoresis - hemoglobin

Normal Values:

In adults, these hemoglobin molecules make up the following percentages of total hemoglobin:

  • Hb A: 95% to 98%
  • Hb A2: 2% to 3%
  • Hb F: 0.8% to 2%
  • Hb S: 0%
  • Hb C: 0%

In infants and children, these hemoglobin molecules make up the following percentages of total hemoglobin:

  • Hb F (newborn): 50% to 80%
  • Hb F (6 months): 8%
  • Hb F (over 6 months): 1% to 2%

Note: Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.

The examples above show the common measurements for results for these tests. Some laboratories use different measurements or may test different specimens.

What abnormal results mean:

The presence of significant levels of abnormal hemoglobins may indicate:

  • Hemoglobin C disease
  • Rare hemoglobinopathy
  • Sickle cell anemia
  • Thalassemia
  • Reviewed last on: 2/5/2010
  • David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Yi-Bin Chen, MD, Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Nagel R. Methemoglobinemias and unstable hemoglobins. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 168.

Steinberg M. Sickle cell disease and associated hemoglobinopathies. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 167.

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