Sickle Cell Test – Indications, Procedures, Results

The sickle cell test looks for the abnormal hemoglobin in the blood that causes the disease sickle cell anemia. A sickle cell test is an inherited disorder’ blood test that checks for abnormal red blood cells called sickle cells. These can cause sickle cell disease or sickle cell trait with SCD have red blood cells (RBCs) that are abnormally shaped like a crescent moon. But normal RBCs look like doughnuts or disc-shaped in shape. It affects a protein in your red blood cells that carries oxygen to your tissues. The best way to check for sickle cell trait or sickle cell disease is to look at the blood using a method called high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). This test identifies which type of hemoglobin is present.

How the Test is Performed

A blood sample is needed.

How the Test will Feel

When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain. Others feel only a prick or stinging. Afterward, there may be some throbbing or a bruise. This soon goes away.

Why the Test is Performed

This test is done to tell if a person has abnormal hemoglobin that causes sickle cell disease and sickle cell trait. Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen.

In sickle cell disease, a person has two abnormal hemoglobin S genes. A person with sickle cell trait has only one of these abnormal genes and no symptoms, or only mild ones.

This test does not tell the difference between these two conditions. Another test, called hemoglobin electrophoresis , will be done to tell which condition someone has.

Normal Results

A normal test result is called a negative result.

Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. Talk to your health care provider about the meaning of your specific test results.

What Abnormal Results Mean

An abnormal test result indicates the person might have one of these:

• Sickle cell anemia
• Sickle cell trait

Iron deficiency or blood transfusions within the past 3 months can cause a “false negative” result. This means the person might have abnormal hemoglobin for sickle cell, but these other factors are making their test results appear negative (normal). Platelet count is increased. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate is low. The reticulocyte count is usually elevated, but it may vary depending on the extent of baseline hemolysis. Peripheral blood smears demonstrate target cells, elongated cells, and characteristic sickle erythrocytes.

Risks

Veins and arteries vary in size from one person to another, and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.

Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight, but may include:

• Excessive bleeding
• Fainting or feeling lightheaded
• Hematoma (blood buildup under the skin)
• Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)

FAQ

Signs and symptoms can include:

• Anemia. Sickle cells break apart easily and die.
• Episodes of pain. Periodic episodes of extreme pain, called pain crises, are a major symptom of sickle cell anemia.
• Swelling of hands and feet.
• Frequent infections.
• Delayed growth or puberty.
• Vision problems.

What should sickle cell patients avoid?

avoid very strenuous exercise – people with sickle cell disease should be active, but intense activities that cause you to become seriously out of breath are best avoided. avoid alcohol and smoking – alcohol can cause you to become dehydrated and smoking can trigger a serious lung condition called acute chest syndrome.

What vitamins are good for sickle cell?

Supplementing with vitamin C may help correct a deficiency. Antioxidant nutrients protect the body’s cells from oxygen-related damage. Many studies show that sickle cell anemia patients tend to have low blood levels of antioxidants, including carotenoids, vitamin A, vitamin E, and vitamin C, despite adequate intake.

What are the 4 types of sickle cell crisis?

Four major types of crises are recognized in sickle cell anemia: aplastic, acute sequestration, hyper-hemolytic, and vaso-occlusive crises.

What gender is most affected by sickle cell anemia?

No sex predilection exists, since sickle cell anemia is not an X-linked disease. Although no particular gender predilection has been shown in most series, analysis of the data from the US Renal Data System demonstrated marked male predominance of sickle cell nephropathy in affected patients.

What ethnicity is prone to sickle cell disease?

Risk Factors

Sickle cell disease is more common in certain ethnic groups, including People of African descent, including African-Americans (among whom 1 in 12 carries a sickle cell gene), and Hispanic-Americans from Central and South America. People of Middle Eastern, Asian, Indian, and Mediterranean descent.

Why is WBC elevated in a sickle cell?

Leukocytes contribute to SCD by adhering to blood vessel walls and obstructing the lumen, aggregating with other blood cells with more effective blockage of the lumen, stimulating the vascular endothelium to increase its expression of ligands for adhesion molecules on blood cells, and causing tissue damage

What is sickle cell pain like?

The pain may feel sharp, stabbing, intense, or throbbing. Some people with sickle cell disease say it’s worse than childbirth or the pain after surgery. You may have pain anywhere in your body and in more than one place.

Is sickle cell tested at birth?

All babies have a newborn screening test for SCD. Newborn screening checks for serious but rare and mostly treatable conditions at birth. It includes blood, hearing and heart screening. With newborn screening, SCD can be found and treated early.

Can blood test detect sickle cell?

A blood test can check for the form of hemoglobin that underlies sickle cell anemia. In the United States, this blood test is part of routine newborn screening. But older children and adults can be tested, too. In adults, a blood sample is drawn from a vein in the arm.

What blood type carries sickle cell?

Like most genes, individuals inherit one from each parent. Examples: If one parent has sickle cell anemia (SS) and the other parent has normal (AA) blood, all of the children will have sickle cell trait.

Why do sickle cell patients take folic acid?

People with sickle cell disease (SCD) often take folic acid supplements to treat anemia. In the body, folic acid gets converted to folate, which the body uses to make new red blood cells. Since people with SCD have increased red blood cell production to make up for anemia, they may need more folate.

Can sickle cell patients gain weight?

Results of a Phase I trial indicate that subjects with sickle cell disease (SCD) treated with hydroxyurea (HU) experience significant and sustained weight gain.

What helps sickle cell naturally?

Doctors in Nigeria use fagara (F. zanthoxyloides) to reduce the painful crisis of the genetic disease, sickle cell anemia. This herb has a variety of unusual properties that reduce platelet and blood cell sticking.

Can sickle cells be cured permanently?

Stem cell or bone marrow transplants are the only cure for sickle cell disease, but they’re not done very often because of the significant risks involved. Stem cells are special cells produced by the bone marrow, a spongy tissue found in the center of some bones. They can turn into different types of blood cells.

Does sickle cell get worse with age?

Because SCD is a genetic disease, people must be born with it. Children begin showing symptoms around 5 months old. Symptoms and complications then tend to get worse with age. The transition from pediatric to adult care is also linked to more medical problems.

Is banana good for sickle cell?

For example, pomegranates increase blood flow and fruits and vegetables such as bananas and kale boost energy levels. These benefits are especially advantageous for people with sickle cell anemia. Increased blood flow reduces the chance of a sickle cell crisis, while more energy helps us to combat fatigue.