Sickle cell anemia is a condition where the red blood cells have a different shape to them when compared to healthy cells. Normally red blood cells have a circular shape to them, allowing them to flow nicely through the circulatory system. When someone has a sickle cell condition, the shape of the red blood cells is altered and this causes the blood flow to be altered should the cells become stuck within a person’s capillaries.
The sickle cell anemia blood test is a mandatory blood test for all newborns in the United States. Before testing became mandatory or if a home birth did not receive this test for some reason, then tests to help determine the presence of hemoglobin S can help to determine if there is a sickle cell issue that may need to be addressed.
For African Americans, this test can be crucial to their future health. It is believed that 1 in 500 people in this US racial demographic have this disease.
When To See a Doctor About the Sickle Cell Anemia Blood Test
There are a number of tests that can be ordered by a medical provider to help determine if bothersome signs and symptoms are related to sickle cell disease. The most common symptom develops during a sickle cell crisis, involving pain that can last for several hours and affect all parts of the body. There may also be anemia due to the lack of oxygen that the malformed red blood cells can carry, causing shortness of breath, intolerance to cold, and numbness in the extremities.
People who have sickle cell anemia are also more likely to have infections on a frequent basis. Pneumonia is especially dangerous with this condition, especially in children. Whenever there is unexplained coughing, a fever, or chest pain then medical help should be sought immediately.
Changes in vision, growth problems for children, and ulcers in the lower part of the leg are also possible. People with sickle cell disease are also more prone to developing gallstones.
What Do My Test Results Mean?
Test results from the sickle cell anemia blood test will either be positive or negative. A negative result typically means that a person does not have sickle cell anemia even though the genetic trait may be present for it. A positive result generally indicates that hemoglobin S has been detected or no hemoglobin A was detected.
Certain variants of sickle cell disease will have people producing two hemoglobin variants, usually hemoglobin C and hemoglobin S. If sickle cell disease is suspected by the blood tests are inconclusive, then genetic testing for the hemoglobin S mutation can confirm a diagnosis if necessary.
The test results in newborns is a little different. Their results will always have hemoglobin F as their predominate result. If there is a small amount of hemoglobin A also present, then a follow-up blood test should be done at the 6 month mark to determine if sickle cell disease has developed.
Here’s What You Need To Know
No two types of sickle cell anemia are alike. Even family members who share this trait can have very different symptoms from each other. It is important to discuss signs and symptoms with a doctor for this particular disease instead of comparing personal symptoms to others to get a gauge on how severe the condition happens to be.
One of the common treatments for sickle cell anemia is a blood transfusion. Any transfusions that have occurred within 90 days of the sickle cell anemia blood test will alter the results and potentially produce a false negative result.
Most people who are diagnosed with this condition are generally healthy. Those who exercise frequently, play contact sports, have frequent dehydration, or live at high altitudes may experience painful symptoms more frequently than those who do not have these risk factors.
What is interesting about the sickle cell trait is that it has a pattern of prevalence amongst those who have an ancestry that involves areas with a high risk of malaria infections. By the year 2050, it is expected that more than 400k infants will be diagnosed with sickle cell anemia every year.
If you have not been tested for this disorder, then it is important to have the sickle cell anemia blood test completed. Determining if you could be a carrier for this disease is also important information to have on hand if you plan to have children. Discuss what options are available to you if you’re experiencing the signs and symptoms of sickle cell anemia, develop a treatment plan if necessary, and then enjoy a fulfilling, happy life.