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HSL Manual Haematology (Red Cells)


This laboratory mainly specialises in haemoglobinopathy investigations for diagnosis and monitoring. The service covers a range of haemolytic anaemias, including enzyme deficiencies (G6PD), pyruvate kinase (PK) and hereditary spherocytosis (HS).

Common Haemoglobinopathies are diagnosed using Capillary Electrophoresis (CE), High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Sickle solubility Testing. Unidentified haemoglobin variants and thalassaemias may be further characterised where required by the Haemoglobinopathy Genetics Laboratory using DNA analysis.

Other tests available include:

  • The measurement of haemoglobin A1C in the presence of a haemoglobin variant by boronate affinity methodology;
  • A quantitative assay for red cell enzymes by spectrometry;
  • A flow cytometric method for the diagnosis of hereditary spherocytosis; and
    Erythropoietin measurement, which is useful for differentiating primary and secondary polycythaemia and assessing response to anaemia.

The laboratory provides a service to large populations of patients with major haemoglobinopathies, offering rapid results for monitoring purposes, particularly pre and post-red cell exchanges. The workload also includes screening for a large antenatal population and complies with the national sickle cell and thalassaemia screening programme guidelines.

Teaching and training are an integral part of the laboratory culture. We hold IBMS pre- and post- registration training approval for completion of the IBMS Registration Portfolio and Specialist Diplomas. We hold the IBMS pre- and post- registration training approval for completion of the IBMS Registration Portfolio and Specialist Diplomas. HSL HSL Manual Haematology (Red Cells) is a UKAS Accredited Medical Laboratory No. 8169.

Staff /Key personnel

Tests

General enquiries

Out of hours service

No urgent out-of-hours service is available.

Specimens

See the main Tests section for general information on ordering tests, and specimen collection, packaging and transport.

Please send samples to:

Health Services Laboratories
Manual Haematology (Red Cells)
Halo Level 2
The Halo Building
1 Mabledon Place
London WC1H 9AX

Request procedures

See the main Tests section for general information on request procedures.

For requests that are for DNA analysis only, see the Genetics section.