How the reader decides
| Pattern | Usual reading |
|---|---|
| HbA2 under 3.5%, HbF under 2%, normal red cells | Normal pattern |
| HbA2 about 4% or more (up to about 9%) | Beta-thalassemia trait |
| HbA2 3.5–3.9% | Borderline: check iron, test your partner, DNA test if needed |
| Normal HbA2 with small red cells (MCV under 80 or MCH under 27) | Iron deficiency or possible alpha-thalassemia trait |
| A peak in the S, D or E window, or "HbA2" above about 10% | Sickle cell, HbD or HbE trait |
| HbF 5% or more with normal HbA2 | Possible HPFH or delta-beta thalassemia |
Labs use slightly different cut-offs, and a single report can't tell the whole story. The reader is a guide to the conversation with your doctor, not a diagnosis.
Why your partner's result matters most
Being a carrier is usually harmless for you. What matters for your children is whether your partner carries something too: two carriers have a 1 in 4 chance in each pregnancy of a child with a serious blood disorder like thalassemia major or sickle cell disease. What two results mean together.
General information, not medical advice. Ask your doctor or a genetic counselor to interpret your own report.
HPLC report questions.
How do I read my HPLC report?
Look at HbA2 and HbF first. A typical normal adult result is HbA2 under about 3.5% and HbF under about 1–2%. HbA2 of about 4% or more usually means beta-thalassemia trait; 3.5–3.9% is borderline. Peaks in the S, D or E windows point to sickle cell, HbD or HbE trait.
What is the normal range of HbA2?
In most labs, a normal adult HbA2 is roughly 2.0–3.5%. Each lab prints its own reference range on the report, so compare with that.
My HbA2 is normal but my MCV is low. What does that mean?
Small red cells with a normal HbA2 are most often due to iron deficiency or alpha-thalassemia trait. Check your ferritin; if iron is normal, ask about a DNA test for alpha thalassemia, especially if your partner is a carrier.
Is my data saved?
No. The reader runs entirely in your browser. The numbers you type are not sent to us or stored anywhere.