Update Type: Specimen collection or handling and/or storage changed
Test Updated: 10/13/2021
Test Overview
Test Methodology

High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)

Test Usage

Evaluate distribution of hemoglobins.

Reference Range *

HGBN-A1: 96.0 - 98.0% of total hemoglobin; HGBN-A2: 2.3 - 3.4% of total hemoglobin; HGBN-F, 0-1 month: 46.0 - 81.0% of total hemoglobin; HGBN-F, 1-4 months: 9.4 - 61.0% of total hemoglobin; HGBN-F, 4-12 months: 1.3 - 22.0% of total hemoglobin; HGBN-F, 1 - 150 years: less than or equal to 2% of total hemoglobin. There are no established reference ranges for HGBN-C and HGBN-S. Pathologist interpretation of abnormal results provided.

* Reference ranges may change over time. Please refer to the original patient report when evaluating results.

Test Limitations

Numerous transfusions prior to HGBE testing may affect results. HGBE testing on newborns may be affected by high levels of fetal hemoglobin.

Test Details
Days Set Up
Monday - Friday
Analytic Time

24 hours

Soft Order Code
HGBE
MiChart Code
Hemoglobin Electrophoresis
Synonyms
  • Hemoglobin Electrophoresis
  • Hemoglobin Electrophoresis Replacement Assay
  • Hemoglobin Evaluation
  • Hemoglobinopathy Evaluation
  • Hgb A1
  • Hgb A2
  • Hgb C
  • Hgb F
  • Hgb S
  • Beta Thalassemia Screen
  • HEMOGLOBIN ELECTORPHORESIS
  • HGB EVAL
  • Hemoglobin A1
  • Hemoglobin A2
  • Hemoglobin C
  • HEMOGLOBIN INTERPRETATION
  • Hemoglobin F
  • Hemoglobin S
  • HGBE
  • HGBN-A1
  • HGBN-A2
  • HGBN-C
  • HGBN-F
  • HGBN-S
  • HGB-EVAL
  • INTRPCHG
  • HGBN Interpretation Charge
  • HGBCM
Laboratory
Chemical Pathology
Section
Special Chemistry
Specimen Requirements
Collection Instructions

Collect specimen in a lavender top (EDTA) tube. Invert specimen after collection to prevent clotting. Send intact specimen; do not centrifuge. Refrigerate; do not freeze. Please include most recent CBC results with requisition. If CBC results are not provided, testing will be performed and a note added to the report indicating that CBC results were unavailable.

Normal Volume
3 mL EDTA whole blood
Minimum Volume
1.5 mL EDTA whole blood
Rejection Criteria
Green top (sodium or lithium heparin) tube is not acceptable. [4/08]
Additional Information

Testing includes Hemoglobins A1, A2, C, F and S. By ordering this test, the clinician acknowledges that a pathologist interpretation will be performed and billed as a separate charge if indicated. Confirmation of all new cases of hemoglobin variants and homozygous sickle samples will be performed in-house by capillary electrophoresis or by an outside reference laboratory at an additional charge. By ordering this test the clinician acknowledges that additional reflex testing will be performed and billed at a separate additional charge if indicated. All confirmation testing will be performed on test systems different from initial test system, as per CAP requirements. Various sendout confirmation test sites may be utilized depending on the complexity or uniqueness of the hemoglobinopathy. Confirmation tests may include pathologist interpretation of results at an additional charge.

Billing
CPT Code
83021
Fee Code
37917
Reflex CPT
83020
Reflex Fee Code
KA014
LOINC
49322-1 (Hgb Fractionation); 4547-6, 42245-1, 42246-9, 44923-1, 44920-7; 78748-1 (Confirm)