Also known as: Sickle cell test · HbS screening · Hemoglobinopathy carrier test · Sickle cell trait test
Molecular and hemoglobin analysis to determine sickle cell carrier status and genotype — essential family planning information for Nigerian couples.
This page and the corresponding laboratory report are overseen by an in-house clinician to ensure medical accuracy and patient safety.
“Knowing your sickle cell status before starting a family is one of the most impactful preventive health decisions a Nigerian couple can make. It is quick, inexpensive and definitive.”
Dr. Ibrahim Musa, MBBS, FMCPaed, Cert. Medical Genetics
Strongly recommended if:
Couples where both partners carry the HbS allele have a 1 in 4 chance of an affected child in each pregnancy.
No fasting is required. Please bring a valid ID and, if available, any previous hemoglobin electrophoresis or genotype results.
Testing combines hemoglobin electrophoresis or HPLC with molecular genotyping of the HBB gene to confirm sickle cell carrier status and identify common beta-thalassemia variants. This dual approach resolves ambiguous results from either method alone.
Hemoglobin variant analysis by HPLC / electrophoresis, plus PCR-based molecular genotyping of the HBB gene.
Your results are delivered securely as an encrypted, password-protected PDF to your registered email address and WhatsApp. The file is never sent unprotected. Results are delivered as an encrypted, password-protected PDF to registered email and WhatsApp. Genetic counseling is available to discuss family planning implications.
Certified genetic counselors are available before and after your test to explain what the results mean, discuss implications for your family, and guide any next clinical steps.
Sickle cell trait (genotype AS) means you carry one copy of the HbS allele and are generally healthy. Sickle cell disease (genotype SS) means two copies, causing the clinical condition.
If both parents are AS carriers, each pregnancy carries a 25% chance of SS (sickle cell disease), a 50% chance of AS (carrier) and a 25% chance of AA.
Combining hemoglobin analysis with molecular genotyping gives very high accuracy and resolves the rare ambiguous variants that either method alone might miss.
The molecular component screens for common beta-thalassemia variants alongside sickle cell, providing a fuller hemoglobinopathy profile.
Walk-in blood collection at our Abuja, Lagos and Kaduna centres. Turnaround is typically 3 business days.