Sickle Cell Trait Blood Test | Sickle Cell Trait Lab Test

Sickle Cell Trait Screen Test with Reflex

Detect abnormal types of hemoglobin in the blood to help diagnose disorders such as sickle cell anemia, a genetic blood disorder caused by a gene mutation. If the initial screen is abnormal, additional tests are performed to determine which type of abnormal hemoglobin is present. Read more

Test details

Sample type:

Blood

Preparation:

You do not need to do anything special to prepare for the sample collection. Fasting is not required for this test.

Test type: In Person

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$49.00

+ $6.00 Physician Service Fee

Quantity

Do you have any of the following severe symptoms associated with Sickle Cell Anemia?

Known anemia

Frequent infection

Extreme pain

Swelling of the hands and feet

Delayed growth/puberty

I don't have any of these severe symptoms associated with Sickle Cell Anemia

What

A screen for the presence of abnormal types of hemoglobin, and if positive, a reflex test for the presence of sickle hemoglobin proteins (hemoglobin S and Hemoglobin C-Harlem).

Who

Must be 18+ years of age to purchase.

How

Blood

Where

Find a location near you

Schedule an appointment, then visit a Quest Diagnostics patient service center location.

About the Test

This screens for Hemoglobin-S and Hemoglobin C Harlem, which are abnormal types of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body. These tests are used by physicians to help diagnose sickle cell anemia, a genetic blood disorder caused by a gene mutation. Red blood cells are usually round and flexible and can move easily through blood vessels. In sickle cell anemia, some of the red blood cells are c-shaped like sickles or crescents and can become rigid and difficult to pass through the bloodstream. This can slow down or block blood flow and decrease oxygen levels. Hemoglobin-S cells have a shorter lifespan than regular hemoglobin cells, which can lead to a severe shortage of healthy red blood cells (anemia).

The sickle cell trait screen can indicate a positive or negative presence of Hemoglobin-S and/or Hemoglobin-C Harlem. If your sickle cell screen is positive, a hemoglobinopathy evaluation will be conducted at no additional charge to help determine sickle cell disease or trait. The Hemoglobinopathy evaluation will provide results for Hemoglobin A, Hemoglobin A2, and any hemoglobin variants.

This test may be right for you if:

You are of African, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Indian, South American, or Caribbean descent
You have one or both parents with either sickle cell disease or sickle cell trait
You have other family members with Sickle cell disease or sickle cell trait

Measures the following components:

Sickle Cell Trait Screen - The sickle cell solubility test is a qualitative test based on the relative insolubility of sickling hemoglobins compared to other hemoglobin variants. A positive test indicates the presence of a sickling hemoglobin.

Hemoglobinopathy (Hb) Evaluation - several tests are available for evaluating the type and relative amount of both normal and abnormal hemoglobin cells. These methods separate the different types of hemoglobin that are present so that they can be identified and measured. They may be used for screening, diagnosis and/or monitoring sickle cell disease or sickle cell trait. Hemoglobinopathy evaluation testing includes:

Hemoglobin electrophoresis
Hemoglobin fractionation by HPLC
Isoelectric focusing
Mass spectrometry
Capillary zone

There's no cure for most people with sickle cell anemia. Treatments can relieve pain and help prevent complications associated with the disease.

Signs and symptoms of sickle cell anemia usually appear around 6 months of age. They vary from person to person and may change over time.

Signs and symptoms can include:

Sickled cells break apart easily and die more quickly than normal cells. Red blood cells usually live for about 120 days before they need to be replaced. But sickle cells typically die in 10 to 20 days, leaving a shortage of red blood cells (anemia). Without enough red blood cells, the body can't get enough oxygen, causing fatigue.

Red blood cells travel through the small blood vessels in the body. Sickle-shaped cells can get stuck, causing episodes of severe pain, also called pain crises. The pain from blocked cells can vary in intensity and may last from hours up to several days. Extreme crises may require emergency medical attention. Some people with sickle cell anemia may only have a couple of pain crises per year while others may be more frequent and can turn into chronic pain from damage to the bones or joints.

The spleen is an organ that helps fight infection and gets damaged by the blockage of sickle cells. Without the spleen functioning properly, it increases the chance for infections that can be life-threatening, like pneumonia. Vaccinations and antibiotics can help protect children with sickle-cell anemia from getting dangerous infections.

The sickle-shaped red blood cells can block blood circulation to the hands and feet, causing swelling and fever and is often the first symptom in infants and children.

Sickle-shaped blood cells can block the tiny blood vessels in the eye, damaging the retina, which is the part of the eye that processes visual images, causing retinopathy, blockage and thinning of the retina and choroid.

Red blood cells carry oxygen and nutrients to the body. Because they have a shorter life span than healthy red blood cells, it causes a shortage of red blood cells which can slow growth in infants and children and cause a delay in puberty.

You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase. Purchases not permitted in: AK, AZ, HI.

You do not need to do anything special to prepare for the sample collection. Fasting is not required for this test.

When your results are ready, we will send them to you in a clear, easy-to-read report. Together, you and your physician will develop a personalized treatment plan that best supports your health. If a prescription is required, it will be sent by the physician to the pharmacy of your choice. Your test results will be available to you a few days after we collect your sample.

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After your purchase, schedule an appointment at a nearby Quest Diagnostics location and have your specimen sample collected by a trained healthcare professional.

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Access test results from your phone as soon as they’re available, with the option to discuss your results with an independent physician at no extra cost.

Your results are available on our free, secure patient portal that you can access on your smartphone, tablet, or desktop. You will receive an email notification when your results are ready. You can also share your results with your healthcare provider, family, or friends.

FAQs

Is Sickle Cell Trait the same as Sickle Cell Disease?

People with sickle cell disease have the hemoglobin S gene mutation on both of their beta globin genes, whereas people with sickle cell trait (Hgb A/S) have the mutation on only one beta globin gene.

People with sickle cell trait are carriers of the mutation and are generally asymptomatic, however, there are rare cases where sickle cell formation can lead to pain crises in some people from certain conditions including high altitudes, dehydration, increased air pressure. Athletes and those who participate in activities like flying or scuba diving may be more vulnerable to complications of sickle cell trait.

Is Sickle Cell Anemia the same as Sickle Cell Disease?

Sickle cell disease refers to the group of genetic sickling disorders while sickle cell anemia is the most severe type of sickle cell disease.

Why is early detection of Sickle Cell Disease important?

Early diagnosis and treatment of sickle cell disease can help reduce the risk of developing sickle cell anemia and other complications associated with the condition.

What does an abnormal result mean?

This test is a screening tool to help identify sickle cell disease. If your results are abnormal you should share your results with a health care provider who can evaluate your symptoms and medical history, and diagnose sickle cell disease.

Sickle Cell Trait Screen Test with Reflex