Special Procedures: Hemoglobin Electrophoresis

Hemoglobin electrophoresis patterns in Beta thalassemia

The following list corresponds to this image of an alkaline hemoglobin electrophoresis.

Lanes 1 and 2: normal patient specimen
Hb A is over 98% with a small amount of Hb A2 visible

Lanes 3 and 4: Beta thalassemia minor
Hb A is decreased to 94%, Hb A2 is increased at 5%, and Hb F is 1%

Lanes 5 and 6: Delta-beta thalassemia major
No Hb A or A2 is present, Hb F is 100%

Lanes 7 & 8: Delta-beta thalassemia intermedia
Hb A is 8.5%, Hb A2 is 3.5% and Hb F is 88%

Lane 9: AF control
Lane 10: ASC control

(Remember, AF and ASC are labels and do not indicate the order of migration.)

Get online OSHA safety and compliance training for your clinical laboratory employees.

Beta Thalassemia course details »

Learn more about laboratory continuing education for ASCP, AMT, NCA, and state renewal and recertification requirements »

Get information on OSHA laboratory safety courses for clinical and medical laboratories »