Red blood cell sickling measurement

Procedure Information

What is a Red Blood Cell Sickling Measurement?

A red blood cell sickling measurement is a procedure used to determine the structure of red blood cells, specifically whether they are uniformly round or if they form a sickle shape.

Why would I get a Red Blood Cell Sickling Measurement?

A red blood cell sickling measurement may be recommended by a doctor to check whether a person has sickle cell anemia, a genetic blood disorder.

What Happens During a Red Blood Cell Sickling Measurement?

A sample of the patient’s blood is taken, usually from a vein in their arm. It is then placed in a special solution and observed under a microscope to determine the shape of the red blood cells.

What to Expect After a Red Blood Cell Sickling Measurement?

The results of the red blood cell sickling measurement will be available from the laboratory shortly after the sample is sent. Results will be provided in a report to the referring doctor, who will then discuss the results with the patient.

Conclusion

A red blood cell sickling measurement is a procedure used to determine the presence or absence of sickle cell anemia. A sample of blood is taken and placed in a special solution, which is then observed under a microscope. Results are then reported to the referring doctor and discussed with the patient.