How to Test for Sickle Cell Disease

Sickle cell disease, also called sickle cell anemia, is a hereditary condition in which a person with abnormal hemoglobin has red blood cells that take on abnormal shapes, such as crescents. This disease is serious because these abnormal red blood cells decrease the flow of oxygen through the blood stream. Other problems associated with sickle cell disease are the increased likelihood of clotting in the blood vessels, inflammation, pain, anemia and tissue damage.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Family history
• Blood test

Test for Sickle Cell Disease

1. Take a personal inventory of risk factors. For example, individuals who are of African ancestry are at a higher risk than some other groups.

2. Determine whether either or both parents carry the gene that causes sickle cell disease. Carrying the gene, however, does not automatically mean a child will have the disease.

3. Obtain a test as early as possible if it was not done at birth. Early detection is more conducive to effective treatment.

4. Get a blood test, which will usually be simple and virtually painless. These tests are also done on newborn babies.

5. Obtain a hemoglobin electrophoresis in conjunction with the blood test. This test detects the presence of abnormal hemoglobins and the HbS gene.

6. Learn about and understand the different types of sickle cell disease. More specifically, there is Sickle Cell Anemia, Sickle-Hemoglobin C Disease, Sickle Beta-Plus Thalassemia and Sickle Beta-Zero Thalassemia.

7. Locate support groups and networks for further information. Many respond specifically to the African American community, such as the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America (see Resources below).

Tips & Warnings

• Most babies are tested for sickle cell disease at birth. This is done with a simple blood test.
• Technology allows one to compare the images of normal blood cells with those that are abnormal in shape. Such images can be found at Human Diseases and Conditions (see Resources below).
• Unlike the crescent shapes that are typical of abnormal red blood cells, normal cells are shaped like saucers, round and flat, which make them more passable through the blood stream.
• Research has shown that, while the HbS gene leads to sickle cell disease, it also increases a person's resistance to malaria.
• A person who carries the HbS gene is more susceptible to sickle cell disease, and is more likely to pass it on to offspring.

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Resources

• Visit the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America for support.
• View about normal and abnormal cell pictures at Human Diseases and Conditions.