Sickling Test

Understanding Sickling Test

Sickle cell disease is a genetic disorder that results in the production of abnormal hemoglobin (HbS), causing red blood cells to become rigid and adopt a crescent or sickle shape. These cells are less flexible and can obstruct blood flow, leading to recurring pain episodes, organ damage, and various serious health complications. The Sickling Test identifies the presence of these abnormal hemoglobin variants in the blood, which is crucial for diagnosing sickle cell disease and other related disorders like sickle ce...

What does Sickling Test measure?

The Sickling Test is a blood test used to identify both sickle cell disease and sickle cell trait caused by hemoglobin S (an abnormal form of hemoglobin). The test looks for changes in the morphology of the red blood cells (RBCs) by microscopy to detect sickle cell anemia and to find people who carry the sickle cell trait (gene).