Variant Hemoglobin Control, HAFSC
The blocks and empty spaces represent the genes for alpha-globin synthesis. Hemoglobin H represents an excess beta chain production and is a hemoglobin tetramer of beta chains. This is caused by a decreased production of alpha-globin chains causing a production mismatch. Because the amount of Hemoglobin H is rather low in heterozygous patients, BGT’s control is formulated with A, F, S and C and is rather out of balance with low (but detectable) H, markedly high A, and lower F, S and C values. This control allows the laboratory to test their procedures to determine if they can detect Hemoglobin H thereby helping in the detection of alpha thalassemia. The product is stable for 10 days after reconstitution, for 21 days frozen after reconstitution and for two years unreconstituted and refrigerated.
