Special Procedures: Hemoglobin Electrophoresis
Migration of Hemoglobin in Alkaline Electrophoresis
Of the hemoglobins normally present in an adult, Hb A migrates the fastest, followed by Hb F. Hb A2 moves only slightly from the point of origin near the cathode.
Abnormal hemoglobins show the following migration patterns:
- Hb C migrates with Hb A2 near the cathode.
- Hb S lies between Hb A2 and Hb F.
- Hb H and Bart's hemoglobin are unstable and very fast moving placing them past Hb A and near the anode with Hb H being the fastest of the two.
Relative migrations of hemoglobin variants on alkaline electrophoresis can be seen below.
