Hemoglobin Electrophoresis

Why It Is Done

Hemoglobin electrophoresis is done to:

• Find each type of hemoglobin in the blood. This can be used to diagnose certain types of anemia (such as thalassemia).
• Check treatment for diseases that have abnormal types of hemoglobin in the blood.
• Help couples find out how likely they are to have a child with certain forms of anemia that can be passed from a parent to a child (inherited).

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Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: September 28, 2006
Medical Review:	Renée M. Crichlow, MD - Family Medicine Brian Leber, MDCM, FRCPC - Hematology
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