Blood Group & Sickle Cell Genotype Plus Thalassaemia Screen - Couple

This comprehensive screen is designed for couples, testing both partners for their blood group and full inherited haemoglobin makeup, and extending screening to cover both alpha and beta-thalassaemia. Alongside blood grouping and detailed haemoglobin analysis by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), it includes red cell indices and iron status, which together help detect alpha-thalassaemia, a condition that HPLC alone cannot identify. For couples, the real value lies in interpreting both sets of results together, as it is the combination of both partners' genetics that determines the risk of passing an inherited condition to a child.

Blood group

Blood grouping determines your blood type based on certain antigens on the surface of your red blood cells. For each partner, this test identifies:

• ABO type (A, B, AB, or O)
• Rh factor (positive or negative)

Haemoglobin genotype

Haemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen around the body. Your haemoglobin genotype is inherited from your parents and determines the type of haemoglobin you produce. Most people have a normal genotype (HbAA), but some inherit variants that can lead to conditions such as sickle cell disease or thalassaemia. For each partner, this test assesses:

• Sickle cell status
• Beta-thalassaemia status
• Haemoglobin components, including HbA0, HbA2, HbF, HbS, HbA1c, and any other haemoglobin variants present

Thalassaemia screening

Alpha-thalassaemia leaves no distinctive signature on HPLC, so it is screened for using each partner's red cell indices and iron status. A pattern of small red cells (low MCV and MCH) alongside normal iron stores can point to alpha-thalassaemia and would prompt confirmatory genetic testing. Measuring iron status at the same time also distinguishes this picture from iron deficiency, a far more common cause of small red cells. For each partner, this part of the screen includes:

• Red blood cell count (RBC)
• Haemoglobin (Hb)
• Mean cell volume (MCV)
• Mean cell haemoglobin (MCH)
• Ferritin (iron status)

Why it matters for couples

When both partners are tested together, the results give a clear picture of your combined genetic makeup and the chance of passing an inherited condition to your children. This is particularly valuable when:

• Planning a pregnancy, to understand your risk before conceiving
• One or both partners have a family history of sickle cell disease or thalassaemia
• One or both partners are from a background where these conditions are more common, including African, Caribbean, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and South and Southeast Asian heritage

If both partners are found to carry the same trait, there is a higher chance of having a child with the condition. In this situation, we recommend speaking with your GP or a genetic counsellor, who can explain your specific risk and the options available to you.

Please note this test screens for alpha-thalassaemia rather than confirming it. A result suggesting alpha-thalassaemia would need a separate genetic (DNA) test to confirm the diagnosis.

Blood Group
- ABO
- Rh (D antigen)

Haemoglobin Genotype
- Sickle cell status
- Beta-thalassaemia status
- Haemoglobin components (HbA0, HbA2, HbF, HbS, HbA1c, and any other Hb variant present)

Thalassaemia Screen (Red Cell Indices & Iron Status)
- Red blood cell count (RBC)
- Haemoglobin (Hb)
- Mean cell volume (MCV)
- Mean cell haemoglobin (MCH)
- Ferritin

No special preparation required.

For blood tests, we recommend drinking plenty of water beforehand to ensure smooth sample collection. If you are taking any regular medication, continue to do so unless advised otherwise by your doctor.