No fasting needed. To ask anything first, call 8872524007.
What the Sickling test checks
The common method is the sodium metabisulphite slide test. A drop of blood is mixed with metabisulphite, which removes oxygen, and sealed under a coverslip. If HbS is present, the cells take on sickle and holly-leaf shapes, which are looked for under the microscope over a set period. Some labs use a solubility test instead, where HbS makes the solution turn cloudy.
Either way, the answer is "positive" or "negative" for sickling. It does not measure how much HbS there is.
Why your doctor may order it
- anaemia with jaundice, or painful episodes in the bones, chest or belly
- a family history of sickle cell disease or trait
- screening before marriage or in pregnancy for couples with roots in parts of India where sickle cell is more common, including central and western states
- children with repeated swelling of the hands and feet, or an unexplained enlarged spleen
India's National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission, launched in 2023, focuses on screening in high-prevalence states. The trait is less common in Punjab, but families move, and the test is simple to run.
How to prepare
No fasting or diet change. Tell us about any transfusion in the last three months, since donor cells can dilute your own and give a falsely negative result.
Sample type and report time
A small venous sample in a purple-top EDTA tube. Home collection is available in Banur and nearby villages. Because the slide is observed over a period of time, the report is usually ready the same day or the next day.
Understanding your results
Negative: no sickling seen. This usually means no significant HbS, with a few exceptions. Babies under about six months still have mostly fetal haemoglobin and can test negative even if they carry HbS. Very low haemoglobin levels and recent transfusion can also give false negatives.
Positive: HbS is present. This could be sickle cell trait (HbAS), which usually causes no symptoms, or sickle cell disease (HbSS and related types), which needs specialist care. Telling them apart needs Hb electrophoresis or HPLC and a CBC. Your doctor reads the result alongside your symptoms and other tests.
FAQ
Is the sickling test the same as a sickle cell test?
Yes, it's the most common screening sickle cell test. Confirmation needs a haemoglobin separation test.
Does a positive sickling test mean I have sickle cell disease?
No. Many positives are trait, which is usually harmless. Only the follow-up test can say which.
Can I get a sickle cell test near me in Banur?
If you're searching for a sickle cell test near me in Banur, Alpha Laboratory collects the sample at the lab on M.C. Road or at your home.
Should my newborn have a sickling test?
For very young babies, newborn screening by HPLC is more reliable. Ask your paediatrician.
Book at Alpha Laboratory
For a sickle cell test as a couple, you can both come in together. Call 8872524007, WhatsApp us, or send your request through the contact page.