HbA2 (HPLC)
Sample: Blood (EDTA,ACD, Citrate, Heparin, etc) 0.5 mL
Status: Accredited
Schedule: Daily (HPLC UV/Vis)
Units: % of total Hb
Range: HbA2: Up to 3,5% of total Hb
Remarks: β-thalaβemia is an inherited disorder of hemoglobin causing different grades of anemia. Adult hemoglobin usually consists of four polypeptide chains, two being α-globins and the others being either two β-globins (HbA0) or two δ-globins (HbA2), the former accounting for more than 90 %. β-thalaβemia is a manifestation of mutations in the β-globin gene which leads to a reduced or totally abolished production of this polypeptide and, consequently, to reduced levels of HbA0. The decreased (or lacking) production of HbAo is compensated for by the production of unphysiologically raised levels of HbA2 (in most cases) or, more rarely, other types of hemoglobin such as HbF, the foetal hemoglobin. An increased ratio of HbA2 or HbF to total hemoglobin is a clear indication for the β-thalassemia defect which requires, depending on the age of the patient and the grade of severity, adapted therapies. The best way to measure the HbA2 haemoglobin is HPLC/UV method:
