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Test Code 036 Sickle Cell Screen

Important Note

Severe anemia can cause false negative results.

Patients with multiple myeloma, cryoglobulinemia and other dysglobulinemias may give false positive results.

Elevated levels of hemoglobin F can cause false negative results. Do not use this test for infants under 6 months of age.

Recent transfusion can cause false positive or false negative results.

Some rare hemoglobin variants such as Hemoglobin C Harlem or C Georgetown may give a positive reaction.

This test is a screening procedure only. All positive or questionable results should be further evaluated with Hemoglobin Electrophoresis.

Additional Codes

ALAB: SICKLE

PowerChart: Sickle Cell RBC

MA Cerner: Sickle Cell Screen.

Test Method

Turbidity, Sicklescreen; Pacific Hemostasis

Specimen Requirement

Whole blood specimen is required.

Additional Specimen Collection Information

Collect blood in EDTA purple-top, sodium citrate lt blue-top or lithium heparin green top. Specimen can be stored refrigerated for up to 2 weeks before testing.

Performance

Testing is performed Monday through Friday.

Routine: Runs are batched once per day at approximately 2000.

STAT: Typically completed within 1 hour after the specimen arrives at the testing site.

Reference Values

Negative

Positive results should be confirmed with Hemoglobin Electrophoresis.

CPT Code Information

85660

Useful For

Screening for Hemoglobin S found in sickle cell disease and sickle cell trait

LOINC Code Information

4621-9 Hemoglobin S [Presence] In Blood