What do the results mean?
Your results will show the types of hemoglobin found and the levels of each.
Hemoglobin levels that are too high or too low may mean:
Thalassemia, a condition that affects the production of hemoglobin. Symptoms range from mild to severe.
Sickle cell trait. In this condition, you have one sickle cell gene and one normal gene. Most people with sickle cell trait do not have health problems.
Sickle cell disease
Hemoglobin C disease, a condition that causes a mild form of anemia and sometimes an enlarged spleen and joint pain
Hemoglobin S-C disease, a condition that causes a mild or moderate form of sickle cell disease
Your results may also show whether a specific disorder is mild, moderate, or severe.
Hemoglobin electrophoresis test results are often compared with other tests, including a complete blood count and a blood smear. If you have questions about your results, talk to your health care provider.
Learn more about laboratory tests, reference ranges, and understanding results.
