Sickle Cell Anemia Tests & Sickle Cell Anemia Treatments at University of Colorado Hospital
Tests for Sickle Cell Anemia
Complete Blood Count
Your doctor will usually order a complete blood count (CBC) if he or she thinks you may have sickle cell anemia. The CBC measures the numbers of red blood cells (oxygen-carrying cells) and the levels of hemoglobin in your body.
Hemoglobin Electrophoresis
This blood test shows the types of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the tissues and organs. People with sickle cell anemia have an abnormal hemoglobin type.
Newborn Screening Test
Doctors use a simple blood test to detect sickle cell anemia at birth. Nearly 90 percent of states screen all infants, and a test can be requested in any state.
Reticulocyte Count
This blood test measures how quickly new red blood cells (reticulocytes) are produced by bone marrow and sent into the blood. The test can show whether anemia is caused by low red blood cell production or a loss of red blood cells.
Sickle Cell Test
The sickle cell test is a test for the presence or absence of hemoglobin S. This abnormal hemoglobin is the basis for sickle cell disease.
Treatments for Sickle Cell Anemia
Because there is currently no cure for sickle cell anemia, the primary goals of treatment are to:
- Relieve pain with over-the-counter and prescription medications
- Prevent infections with antibiotics, vaccinations and/or blood transfusions
- Monitor risk of stroke with ultrasound scans of the head to check blood flow
- Monitor risk of damage to the blood vessels of the eye with regular checkups
- Control complications caused by the disease if they occur
In rare cases, bone marrow transplants are used to treat sickle cell anemia. The body uses bone marrow to produce red blood cells.