What test is used to evaluate thalassemia and anemia?

Hemoglobin Electrophoresis is the most appropriate test for evaluating thalassemia and certain types of anemia, particularly those that involve abnormal hemoglobin. This laboratory test separates different types of hemoglobin in the blood based on their electrical charge, allowing for the identification and quantification of various hemoglobin variants. In thalassemia, there are specific changes in the hemoglobin patterns that can be detected.

While a Complete Blood Count (CBC) is useful for assessing overall blood health and can indicate anemia, it does not provide the specific information needed to diagnose or differentiate between types of hemoglobinopathies such as thalassemia. Iron Studies evaluate iron levels and storage, which are important in diagnosing iron deficiency anemia but are not specific to thalassemia. A Bone Marrow Biopsy is a more invasive procedure that is typically reserved for cases where there is a suspicion of underlying bone marrow pathology; it is not routinely used for diagnosing thalassemia or a straightforward anemia evaluation.