Lab test · Hematology
Haemoglobin Electrophoresis
Thalassaemia & haemoglobin types
- Blood sample
- No fasting
- Report within 3 days
- Home collection
What this test is for
Thalassaemia & haemoglobin types
Haemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. This test separates and measures the different types of haemoglobin in your blood, such as haemoglobin A, A2, F, E and S. Changes in these types can show thalassaemia, including beta thalassaemia trait and haemoglobin E, which are common in Bangladesh, as well as sickle cell disorders.
Why a doctor may order it
- Small red blood cells on a CBC when iron levels are normal
- Before marriage or pregnancy, to find out whether you carry thalassaemia
- A family history of thalassaemia or another haemoglobin disorder
- Anaemia that does not improve with iron
- Long-lasting anaemia in a child, especially with a family history
How to prepare
Fasting: Not needed.
You do not need to prepare in any special way, and eating beforehand is fine. Tell your doctor if you have had a blood transfusion in the last few months, because donated blood can hide your own haemoglobin pattern. Iron deficiency can also affect the result, so your doctor may check your iron levels as well.
At home
- Sample
- Blood sample
- How it works
- A trained collector takes a small blood sample from a vein in your arm at home. Couples being tested before marriage can each give their sample at home in the same way.
- Report
- Within 3 days of collection.
What the results can mean
The report lists the share of each haemoglobin type found and whether any abnormal type is present. A raised haemoglobin A2 usually points to beta thalassaemia trait, and haemoglobin E or S shows a carrier state or a related disorder. Some types of thalassaemia, particularly alpha thalassaemia trait, may not show on this test and need genetic testing. Your doctor will interpret the result, and genetic counselling can help couples who are both carriers.
What's included
One test: Haemoglobin Electrophoresis, from one blood sample.
Related tests
- Complete Blood Count (CBC)A complete blood count looks at the three main types of cells in your blood: red blood cells, which carry oxygen; white blood cells, which fight infection; and platelets, which help blood to clot.
- Peripheral Blood Film (PBF)In a peripheral blood film, a drop of your blood is spread thinly on a glass slide, stained and examined under a microscope.
- Iron Profile (Iron Studies)An iron profile is a group of blood tests that shows how much iron your body has and how it is being used.
- Serum FerritinFerritin is a protein that stores iron inside the body's cells, and the small amount in the blood reflects how much iron you have stored.
- Pre-Marriage Health Screening PackageThis program is for men and women preparing for marriage and focuses on inherited blood disorders and infections.
- G6PD (Quantitative)Inherited enzyme deficiency (G6PD)৳1,150
Questions people ask
Should couples have this test before marriage?
It is often advised where thalassaemia is common, including Bangladesh. If both partners are carriers, each pregnancy has a one in four chance of a child with a serious form, and knowing early helps couples make informed choices.
Can thalassaemia trait be mistaken for iron deficiency?
Yes. Both can cause small red blood cells. Thalassaemia trait does not improve with iron, so testing helps avoid taking iron without need.
What is the difference between electrophoresis and HPLC?
Both separate haemoglobin types. HPLC is a newer, automated method that many laboratories use, and its results are often reported under the name haemoglobin electrophoresis.
How much does a Hb electrophoresis test cost in Dhaka?
With Mukti Health the price is ৳800, and the sample is collected at your home in Dhaka. You see the price again before you confirm the booking in the Mukti Health app.
Can I do the Hb electrophoresis test at home in Dhaka?
Yes. Book it in the Mukti Health app and a trained sample collector comes to your home in Dhaka to take the blood sample. You do not need to go to a laboratory.
How long does the Hb electrophoresis report take?
The report is usually ready within 3 days of the sample being collected.