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Test ID: HBF    
Hemoglobin F, Blood

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Useful For Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful

Quantitating the percent of fetal hemoglobin present

 

Assisting in the diagnosis of disorders with elevated levels of fetal hemoglobin

Clinical Information Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test

Fetal hemoglobin concentration is usually between 5% to 15% of the total hemoglobin in the high F or delta/beta-type of thalassemia minor. In beta-thalassemia major, fetal hemoglobin may be 30% to 90% or even more of the total hemoglobin.

 

Slight increases in hemoglobin F concentration are found in a variety of unrelated hematologic disorders, such as aplastic anemia, hereditary spherocytosis, and myeloproliferative disorders. In homozygous sickle cell disease, hemoglobin F concentration is often slightly increased.

 

Higher concentrations of hemoglobin F occur in hemoglobin S/beta O-thalassemia, in patients who are doubly heterozygous for the hemoglobin S gene, and in patients who have a gene for hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin (HPFH). These disorders may be differentiated by family studies or by flow cytometry studies for fetal hemoglobin, which reveals uniform intraerythrocytic distribution of hemoglobin F in HPFH and nonuniform distribution in hemoglobin S/beta-thalassemia. The electrophoretic finding of small quantities of hemoglobin A in a patient who has mostly hemoglobin S and a moderate increase in hemoglobin F is strong evidence of hemoglobin S/beta zero thalassemia (if the patient has not had a transfusion).

Reference Values Describes reference intervals and additional information for interpretation of test results. May include intervals based on age and sex when appropriate. Intervals are Mayo-derived, unless otherwise designated. If an interpretive report is provided, the reference value field will state this.

1-30 days: 22.8-92.0%

1-2 months: 7.6-89.8%

3-5 months: 1.6-42.2%

6-8 months: 0.0-16.7%

9-12 months: 0.0-10.5%

13-17 months: 0.0-7.9%

18-23 months: 0.0-6.3%

> or =24 months: 0.0-0.9%

Interpretation Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results

See Clinical Information and Reference Values.

Cautions Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances

Hemoglobin F is elevated in newborns, reaching adult levels by 12 months. It is also commonly increased to as much as 5% to 10% in normal pregnancy.

Clinical Reference Provides recommendations for further in-depth reading of a clinical nature

Fairbanks VF, Klee GG: Biochemical aspects of hematology. In Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry. Third edition. Edited by CA Burtis, ER Ashwood, Philadelphia, WB Saunders Company, 1999, pp 1657-1669