Sickle cell anemia is an inherited blood disease that causes red blood cells to become deformed (sickle-shaped). The red blood cells deform because they contain an abnormal type of hemoglobin, called hemoglobin S, instead of the normal hemoglobin, called hemoglobin A.

A person with sickle cell anemia can have sickle cell trait or sickle cell disease. In the United States, sickle cell anemia is found mainly in African Americans and in people of Hispanic descent from the Caribbean and Central America.

Each person inherits two sets of chromosomes (one from each parent). As a result, a person may have:

• Two sets of chromosomes that produce normal hemoglobin (hemoglobin A). These people have normal red blood cells (unless they have some other disease).
• One set of chromosomes that produces hemoglobin A and one set that produces hemoglobin S. These people carry the sickle cell trait (and so are called “carriers” of sickle cell anemia) but they do not have sickle cell disease. Sickle cell trait is usually a harmless condition.
• Two sets of chromosomes that produce hemoglobin S. These people have sickle cell disease. A person may have sickle cell disease if both parents have sickle cell trait. Red blood cells that become sickled often cause recurring health problems (called sickle cell crises).
• One set of chromosomes that produces hemoglobin S and one set that produces some other abnormal type of hemoglobin. Depending on the other type of abnormal hemoglobin, these people can have mild or severe sickle cell disease.

Sickle cell test

The sickle cell test determines whether red blood cells in a blood sample become sickle-shaped after adding a certain chemical solution.

During a sickle cell test, a blood sample is mixed with a solution that causes red blood cells containing hemoglobin S to become sickle-shaped. If sickled cells are found, a second test (called hemoglobin electrophoresis) is needed to diagnose the exact blood disease and to measure the amount of each type of hemoglobin.

This test is done on a blood sample taken from a vein.

Sickle Cell Test
Results