Sickle cell and thalassaemia screening programme lab support service

The service is commissioned by the National Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Screening Programme.

Most enquiries come from staff in haemoglobinopathy screening laboratories, but we are also very happy to answer queries from any other health professional requiring advice interpreting haemoglobinopathy laboratory results.

We can try to help with all aspects of the laboratory diagnosis of haemoglobinopathy, but areas we are often asked about include:

• Interpretation of HPLC, FBC, results and electrophoresis results
• Interpretation of borderline results
• Information concerning alpha thalassaemia phenotypes/genotypes
• Information concerning HPFH/delta-beta thalassaemia phenotypes
• When partner testing should be recommended
• How results should be reported when the results are not clear cut
• When samples should be referred for further testing (e.g., mass spectrometry or genetic testing)
• When results should be referred to clinical staff
• The clinical significance of rare haemoglobin variants

For more details about the service please visit Population screening programmes: detailed information.

Contact us

Email: lab.support@nhs.net
Tel: 01865 572769