Hemoglobin electrophoresis

Alternative names:

Hb electrophoresis; Hgb electrophoresis

Normal values:

Normal hemoglobin findings differ between adults and children.
Adults (findings expressed as a percentage 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%

Children (findings expressed as a percentage 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

Additional conditions under which the test may be performed:

• clinical thalassemia (major and minor)