Home Biomarkers HbA

HbA

Hemoglobin electrophoresis Biomarker

Sample Needed

Collection Type: Blood

Body System

Related System: Hemoglobin electrophoresis

Overview

HbA (hemoglobin A) is the major adult hemoglobin molecule composed of two alpha and two beta globin chains (α2β2). The hemoglobin electrophoresis test measures the proportion of different hemoglobin types (HbA, HbA2, HbF, and abnormal variants like HbS or HbC) in blood. Measurement of HbA helps detect hemoglobinopathies and thalassemias and to distinguish normal adults from those carrying or affected by genetic hemoglobin disorders. Symptoms that may prompt testing include chronic anemia, fatigue, jaundice, recurrent infections, poor growth in children, or a family history of sickle cell disease/thalassemia. Proportions of HbA vary by age (newborns have little HbA and high HbF), and recent transfusion, pregnancy, or ethnicity can affect results.

People also test for

Test Preparation

No special preparation is required

Why Do I Need This Test

Profile: Hemoglobin electrophoresis.
Symptoms prompting test: unexplained anemia, jaundice, recurrent pain crises, poor growth, or abnormal newborn screening.
Diagnostic/monitoring use: detects sickle cell disease/trait, beta- and some alpha-thalassemias, and other hemoglobin variants; monitors known hemoglobinopathies.
Reasons for abnormal HbA: genetic variants (HbS, HbC, HbE), beta-globin gene mutations (thalassemia), recent transfusion.
Biological meaning: low or absent HbA indicates replacement by other hemoglobins (e.g., HbS, HbF); high non-A fractions indicate variants/compensation.
Lifestyle/family history: recent transfusion alters results; family history of hemoglobin disorders warrants testing.

Run our symptom checker to see if this test is right for you

Symptom Checker

Understanding Test Results

Values within 95–98% indicate a normal adult hemoglobin pattern.
Mild reductions (e.g., ~90–95%) may reflect heterozygous states or recent transfusion and warrant correlation with HbA2/HbF and clinical picture.
More marked reductions (<90% and progressively lower) suggest significant presence of other hemoglobins: for example, HbA absent or near 0% indicates homozygous abnormal hemoglobin (e.g., sickle cell disease, where HbS predominates), while presence of both HbA and HbS in roughly 50–60% HbA with 35–45% HbS is typical of sickle cell trait.
Very low HbA with markedly elevated HbF points toward beta-thalassemia major.
Any deviation requires interpretation alongside HbA2/HbF percentages, CBC indices, clinical findings, and transfusion history; genetic testing may be indicated for confirmation.

Normal Range

95-98% of total hemoglobin (%)

FAQs

Q: What is HBA full form?

A: HBA (commonly written HbA) stands for Hemoglobin A, the predominant adult hemoglobin made of two alpha and two beta globin chains. Glycation of Hemoglobin A yields HbA1c, a marker that reflects average blood glucose over the previous 2–3 months. HbA1c measurement is widely used to diagnose and monitor diabetes and assess long-term glycaemic control.

Q: What does HBA mean?

A: HBA (often written HbA) refers to hemoglobin A, the predominant adult form of hemoglobin. In clinical practice, HbA1c measures the percentage of hemoglobin with glucose attached, reflecting average blood glucose over the previous two to three months. It’s used to diagnose and monitor diabetes: higher HbA1c percentages indicate poorer long‑term glucose control and higher risk of complications.

Q: What is the HBA of hemoglobin?

A: HbA (hemoglobin A) is the predominant adult hemoglobin, made of two alpha and two beta globin chains (α2β2). It transports oxygen from lungs to tissues and constitutes about 95–98% of hemoglobin in healthy adults. HbA largely replaces fetal hemoglobin after birth; minor adult variants include HbA2. Identifying hemoglobin types aids diagnosis of hemoglobin disorders and monitoring glycation (HbA1c).

Q: What is HBA in health?

A: HbA (commonly referenced as HbA1c) is glycated hemoglobin hemoglobin chemically linked to glucose. It reflects average blood glucose over the past 8–12 weeks and is used to diagnose and monitor diabetes. Results are given as a percentage: under about 5.7% is normal, 5.7–6.4% indicates prediabetes, and 6.5% or higher suggests diabetes.

Q: Who is eligible for HBA loan?

A: House Building Advance (HBA) is typically available to government employees (central, state, public-sector/autonomous bodies) who are permanent/confirmed and have completed the minimum qualifying service (commonly three years). Applicants should not already have employer-provided accommodation, must intend purchase/construction/extension/repair of a dwelling, and meet employer-specific income, service and documentation rules. Some schemes allow pensioners subject to repayment arrangements; check employer policy.

Q: What is HBA in salary slip?

A: HBA on a salary slip stands for House Building Advance an employer‑provided loan or advance to help an employee buy, build, or renovate a home. The advance is repaid through monthly salary deductions (EMIs), often with interest, and appears as a deduction on the pay slip. Eligibility, repayment terms, interest rates and any tax treatment depend on the employer’s policy and prevailing tax rules.