HPLC Blood Test – Thalassemia Screening

What is the HPLC Blood Test?

The HPLC Blood Test (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) is a gold-standard diagnostic tool for analyzing and quantifying hemoglobin variants.

This test is crucial in the identification and monitoring of thalassemia syndromes, sickle cell disease, and other hemoglobinopathies, offering precise, automated results using state-of-the-art technology.

By separating and measuring different types of hemoglobin present in the blood, the HPLC Blood Test provides clear insights into both normal (e.g., Hemoglobin A, F) and abnormal (e.g., Hemoglobin S, C, E) hemoglobin fractions, making it an essential investigation in hematological diagnostics.

The HPLC Blood Test uses the principle of high-performance liquid chromatography to analyze the composition of hemoglobin in red blood cells. This method is highly accurate and preferred globally for the detection and quantification of hemoglobin variants, offering both clinical sensitivity and laboratory precision.

This test is conducted using fully automated HPLC systems, specifically Bio-Rad Variant II, ensuring standardized, consistent results with minimal manual error.

Sample Report:

Other Relevant Tests

• Hb Electrophoresis
• Sickle Cell Test
• Sickle Cell Light Microscopy
• Beta Thalassemia Screening
• Complete Anemia Profile

Clinical Relevance of the HPLC Blood Test

The test is specifically recommended for:

– Suspected cases of thalassemia (alpha or beta)

– Sickle cell trait or disease screening

– Evaluation of unexplained anemia

– Family history of hemoglobinopathies

– Prenatal screening and carrier detection

The HPLC Blood Test helps detect variations such as:

– Hemoglobin S (HbS): Indicates sickle cell trait or disease

– Hemoglobin C (HbC): Associated with mild hemolytic anemia

– Hemoglobin E (HbE): Common in certain ethnic populations, may cause mild anemia

– Hemoglobin A2 and F: Key markers in diagnosing thalassemia and other blood disorders

Why Choose HPLC for Hemoglobin Analysis?

– High diagnostic accuracy in identifying normal and abnormal hemoglobins

– Quantification of minor hemoglobin fractions such as HbA2 and HbF

– Superior resolution compared to traditional electrophoresis techniques

– Automated analysis minimizes human error and ensures reproducibility

– Fast turnaround time and clinically actionable results

Performance Specifications

The precision of the HPLC Blood Test makes it a reliable diagnostic tool:

– Intra-assay precision:

– HbF: As low as 0.6%

– HbA2: As low as 1.0%

– Inter-assay precision:

– HbF: 1.4%

– HbA2: 1.9%

Thalassemia and Hemoglobinopathies – A Growing Concern

Thalassemia syndromes represent a group of inherited conditions caused by defective synthesis of one or more globin chains, components of hemoglobin.

Clinical Impact:

– Inadequate hemoglobin production leads to microcytic hypochromic anemia.

– Imbalanced globin chain accumulation causes hemolysis and ineffective erythropoiesis.

– Severity ranges from asymptomatic microcytosis to life-threatening anemia.

– In severe cases, it can result in fetal death in utero.

Screening Guidelines:

– All ethnic groups except Northern European Caucasians should be screened for variant hemoglobin

– All ethnic groups should be tested for beta-thalassemia trait

– Selected ethnic groups should be screened for alpha-thalassemia trait

Definitive diagnosis may sometimes require DNA testing or amino acid sequencing, but the HPLC Blood Test is the most effective first-line screening tool.

How the HPLC Blood Test Works

Methodology: Fully Automated HPLC using Bio-Rad Variant II

– Red blood cells are lysed to release hemoglobin.

– The sample is injected into the HPLC system.

– Different hemoglobin types are separated based on charge and structure.

– A detector quantifies each variant based on the time it elutes.

– Results are analyzed against reference patterns for precise diagnosis.

This process is fully automated, ensuring high throughput and reduced risk of error.

Please Correlate with Clinical Findings

While the HPLC Blood Test provides detailed laboratory insight, results must be interpreted in clinical context.

Your healthcare provider will consider symptoms, medical history, family history, and other blood parameters (like complete blood count or iron studies) before concluding any diagnosis.

Who Should Take the HPLC Blood Test?

– Children with unexplained anemia or poor growth

– Couples planning for children in high-prevalence zones

– Individuals with family history of blood disorders

– Those with borderline CBC reports showing microcytosis or low MCV

– Pregnant women (especially in high-risk ethnic groups)

– Individuals undergoing anemia profile tests

Now Available Across 50+ Indian Cities

You can now book the HPLC Blood Test in over 50 major Indian cities at leading NABL-accredited diagnostic centers. Cities include:

Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Pune, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Lucknow, Surat, Bhopal, Patna, Indore, Kanpur, Vadodara, Thane, Visakhapatnam, Nashik, Ludhiana, Faridabad, Agra, Amritsar, Varanasi, Allahabad, Coimbatore, Madurai, Raipur, Ranchi, Chandigarh, Guwahati, Vijayawada, Gwalior, Jodhpur, Nagpur, Bhubaneswar, Aurangabad, Meerut, Noida, Ghaziabad, Dhanbad, Kota, Solapur, Bareilly, Jabalpur, Hubli, Mangalore, Mysuru, Dehradun, Navi Mumbai, Jamshedpur

HPLC Blood Test: Know More

The HPLC Blood Test is a highly sensitive, fully automated diagnostic test used for the quantitative and qualitative analysis of hemoglobin variants.

Whether you are screening for thalassemia, managing anemia, or diagnosing a suspected hemoglobinopathy, this test delivers trustworthy results with unmatched accuracy.

Available in India’s leading cities, this test is an essential part of modern diagnostic care—especially for families with a genetic predisposition to blood disorders.

You may also need a Viral Marker Test Panel with the HPLC test to understandand whether there is a genetic health issue or it’s due some deadly viral infections.

If your doctor has recommended it, book your HPLC Blood Test today and gain clarity on your hemoglobin health.

References

• https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/IN/en/search/hplc-test-mix?focus=products&page=1&perpage=30&sort=relevance&term=hplc%20test%20mix&type=product
• https://www.starna.com/visible-wavelength/157-reference-materials/hplc
• https://torontech.com/hplc-testing-and-analysis-guide/
• https://www.mayocliniclabs.com/test-catalog/Overview/65615