What are the four different types of hemoglobin chains?

Table of Contents

Normally, the alpha and beta (and to a lesser extent the delta) globin chains form adult hemoglobin. In fetal life, the gamma, epsilon, and zeta chains are present.

What are the different types of sickle cell disease?

The four main types of sickle cell anemia are caused by different mutations in these genes.

Hemoglobin SS disease.
Hemoglobin SC disease.
Hemoglobin SB+ (beta) thalassemia.
Hemoglobin SB 0 (Beta-zero) thalassemia.
Hemoglobin SD, hemoglobin SE, and hemoglobin SO.
Sickle cell trait.

What are the types of hemoglobin?

Many different types of hemoglobin (Hb) exist. The most common ones are HbA, HbA2, HbE, HbF, HbS, HbC, HbH, and HbM. Healthy adults only have significant levels of only HbA and HbA2.

What is alpha and beta thalassemia?

The thalassemias are a group of inherited hematologic disorders caused by defects in the synthesis of one or more of the hemoglobin chains. Alpha thalassemia is caused by reduced or absent synthesis of alpha globin chains, and beta thalassemia is caused by reduced or absent synthesis of beta globin chains.

When do you use Hb electrophoresis?

To diagnose blood disorders: Your doctor may have you do a hemoglobin electrophoresis test if you’re showing symptoms of anemia. The test will help them find any abnormal types of hemoglobin in your blood. These could be a sign of disorders including: sickle cell anemia.

What does an electrophoresis blood test show?

What is this test? Protein electrophoresis is a test that measures specific proteins in the blood. The test separates proteins in the blood based on their electrical charge. The protein electrophoresis test is often used to find abnormal substances called M proteins.

What is the difference between beta thalassemia and sickle cell anemia?

While beta thalassemia is caused by a defect in the beta-globin gene, controlling the production of the beta-globin chains of hemoglobin, sickle cell disease is caused by a defect in hemoglobin itself with the presence of abnormal hemoglobin S.