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HelpMayo Test ID UNHB Hemoglobin Stability, Blood
Specimen Required
Only orderable as part of a profile or as a reflex. For more information see:
-HAEV1 / Hemolytic Anemia Evaluation, Blood
-HBEL1 / Hemoglobin Electrophoresis Evaluation, Blood
-THEV1 / Thalassemia and Hemoglobinopathy Evaluation, Blood and Serum
-REVE2 / Erythrocytosis Evaluation, Blood
-MEV1 / Methemoglobinemia Evaluation, Blood
Container/Tube: Lavender top (EDTA)
Specimen Volume: 4 mL
Useful For
Work-up of congenital hemolytic anemias
Method Name
Only orderable as part of a profile or as a reflex. For more information see:
-HAEV1 / Hemolytic Anemia Evaluation, Blood
-HBEL1 / Hemoglobin Electrophoresis Evaluation, Blood
-THEV1 / Thalassemia and Hemoglobinopathy Evaluation, Blood and Serum
-REVE2 / Erythrocytosis Evaluation, Blood
-MEV1 / Methemoglobinemia Evaluation, Blood
Isopropanol and Heat Stability
Reporting Name
Hb Stability, BSpecimen Type
Whole Blood EDTASpecimen Minimum Volume
1 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whole Blood EDTA | Refrigerated | 7 days |
Clinical Information
Unstable hemoglobin disease is rare and may be caused by any one of a large number of hemoglobin variants. They are inherited as autosomal dominant traits. The severity of the disease varies according to the hemoglobin variant; there may be no clinical symptoms, or the disease may produce a mild, moderate, or severe hemolytic anemia.
The stained peripheral blood smear shows anisocytosis, poikilocytosis, basophilic stippling, polychromasia and, sometimes, hypochromia. The reticulocyte count may be increased. Splenomegaly and Heinz bodies may also be present.
Reference Values
Only orderable as part of a profile or as a reflex. For more information see:
-HAEV1 / Hemolytic Anemia Evaluation, Blood
-HBEL1 / Hemoglobin Electrophoresis Evaluation, Blood
-THEV1 / Thalassemia and Hemoglobinopathy Evaluation, Blood and Serum
-REVE2 / Erythrocytosis Evaluation, Blood
-MEV1 / Methemoglobinemia Evaluation, Blood
Normal (reported as normal [stable] or abnormal [unstable])
Interpretation
An abnormal or unstable result is indicative of a hemoglobin variant present. Other confirmatory tests should be performed to identify the hemoglobinopathy (HBEL1 / Hemoglobin Electrophoresis Cascade, Blood).
Cautions
False-positive results will be obtained in blood specimens containing greater than 5% fetal hemoglobin or in specimens greater than 1 week old.
Clinical Reference
1. Hoyer JD, Hoffman DR. The thalassemia and hemoglobinopathy syndromes. In: McClatchey KD, Amin HM, Curry JL, eds. Clinical Laboratory Medicine. 2nd ed. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins; 2002:866-895
2. Benz EJ, Ebert BL. Hemoglobin variants associated with hemolytic anemia, altered oxygen affinity, and methemoglobinemias. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ, Silberstein LE, et al. eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 7th ed. Elsevier; 2018:608-615
Method Description
Unstable hemoglobins precipitate in dilute solutions of isopropanol. Washed erythrocytes are hemolyzed and cleared by centrifugation. Isopropanol is added. The hemolysate is incubated at 37° C for 20 minutes and examined for turbidity. There is no turbidity with normal hemoglobins.(Schmidt RM: Laboratory diagnosis of hemoglobinopathies. In: Bick RL ed. Hematology Clinical and Laboratory Practice. Mosby-Year Book Inc; 1993:327-389; Greene DN, Vaughn CP, Crews BO, Agarwal AM. Advances in the detection of hemoglobinopathies. Clin Chim Acta. 2015;439:50-57)
Performing Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
Test Classification
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.CPT Code Information
83068
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| UNHB | Hb Stability, B | 4639-1 |
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| 9095 | Hb Stability, B | 4639-1 |
Reject Due To
| Gross hemolysis | Reject |
Specimen Retention Time
30 daysDay(s) Performed
Monday through Friday