Sickle Cell Trait Screen Test with Reflex
This sickle cell trait test detects abnormal types of hemoglobin associated with various disorders such as sickle cell anemia, a blood disorder caused by a genetic mutation. If your sickle cell screening is abnormal, additional tests are performed to determine which type of abnormal hemoglobin is present. Read more
This sickle cell screening test detects 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 test 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.
Buy your own sickle cell trait test online with Quest. No doctor’s visit is required – simply purchase your sickle cell testing, visit a nearby Quest location for sample collection, and get fast results.
How it works
questhealth.com offers 100+ consumer-initiated Quest Diagnostics lab tests to empower you to have more control over your health journey. Choose from a variety of test types that best suit your needs.
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.