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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:

Hgb A1: 95% to 98%
Hgb A2: 2% to 3%
Hgb F: 0.8% to 2%
Hgb S: 0%
Hgb C: 0%

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

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

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: 3/2/2009
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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