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How to diagnose a thalassemia through electrophoresis test?

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Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Could you please go through my reports and tell me if I have thalassemia minor? I have attached my electrophoresis test reports. Some of the values in the report are HbF - 0.8%, adult Hb - 66.0%, HbA2 - 30.8%, and other non-specific - 2.4%.

Kindly help.
Answered by Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri is an experienced General Physician and Pathologist with extensive years of clinical expertise. He specializes in diagnosing and managing a wide range of medical conditions while providing holistic care to patients. As a Pathologist, he is skilled in performing and interpreting laboratory investigations that aid in accurate diagnosis and treatment planning. Dr. Rajendragiri is dedicated to delivering patient-focused care with a strong emphasis on preventive medicine and overall well-being.

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Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

  1. According to the report attached (attachment removed to protect patient identity), the Mentzer index is not below 13. Usually, in thalassemia, it is below 13.
  2. Hb A2 (hemoglobin A2) level is raised, which is seen in beta-thalassemia minor as well as in hemoglobin E hemoglobinopathy.
  3. HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography) is confirmatory for diagnosing various hemoglobinopathies.

So, thalassemia is not present. But blood transfusion history should be ruled out. Also, a correlation between clinical findings and preliminary symptoms should be done.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thanks for taking out time to check the report. No, there was no history of blood transfusion. So, I am not a beta-thalassemia carrier, right?

Answered by Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri is an experienced General Physician and Pathologist with extensive years of clinical expertise. He specializes in diagnosing and managing a wide range of medical conditions while providing holistic care to patients. As a Pathologist, he is skilled in performing and interpreting laboratory investigations that aid in accurate diagnosis and treatment planning. Dr. Rajendragiri is dedicated to delivering patient-focused care with a strong emphasis on preventive medicine and overall well-being.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I will try to explain your report.

  1. In the HPLC test, different hemoglobins are eluted at different times, and accordingly, the report is given. Hemoglobin A2 and E are eluted at the same point.
  2. Hence, your diagnosis is given after considering HPLC, MCV (mean corpuscular value), and RBC (red blood cell) mass, from which the Mentzer index can be calculated which is not here below 13.
  3. So your diagnosis is hemoglobin E hemoglobinopathy. But as you are heterozygous, your partner's HPLC should also be done, and pre-conceptional counseling is advised.

I hope this helps.

Medically reviewed by iCliniq medical review team
Published At March 17, 2017
Reviewed At July 14, 2026

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri is an experienced General Physician and Pathologist with extensive years of clinical expertise. He specializes in diagnosing and managing a wide range of medical conditions while providing holistic care to patients. As a Pathologist, he is skilled in performing and interpreting laboratory investigations that aid in accurate diagnosis and treatment planning. Dr. Rajendragiri is dedicated to delivering patient-focused care with a strong emphasis on preventive medicine and overall well-being.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri
Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri

Pathology

Consult this doctor

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri is an experienced General Physician and Pathologist with extensive years of clinical expertise. He specializes in diagnosing and managing a wide range of medical conditions while providing holistic care to patients. As a Pathologist, he is skilled in performing and interpreting laboratory investigations that aid in accurate diagnosis and treatment planning. Dr. Rajendragiri is dedicated to delivering patient-focused care with a strong emphasis on preventive medicine and overall well-being.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality
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