Hemoglobin A, featured prominently on the Thalassemia and Hemoglobinopathy Comprehensive (COMP) panel, is a critical component in diagnosing and managing blood disorders. This panel is an essential tool used to detect various forms of thalassemia and hemoglobinopathies, conditions characterized by abnormal hemoglobin production. Hemoglobin A, the most common form of hemoglobin in adults, is composed of two alpha and two beta globin chains.

The A1C test—also known as the hemoglobin A1C or HbA1c test—is a simple blood test that measures your average blood sugar levels over the past 3 months. It’s one of the commonly used tests to diagnose prediabetes and diabetes, and is also the main test to help you and your health care team manage your diabetes. Higher A1C levels are linked to diabetes complications, so reaching and maintaining your individual A1C goal is really important if you have diabetes.

An A1C test can show your average glucose level for the past three months because:

→ Glucose sticks to hemoglobin for as long as the red blood cells are alive.

→ Red blood cells live about three months.

→ High A1C levels are a sign of high blood glucose from diabetes. Diabetes can cause serious health problems, including heart disease, kidney disease, and nerve damage. But with treatment and lifestyle changes, you can control your blood glucose levels.

Hemoglobin A2 (Quant), a key parameter in the Thalassemia and Hemoglobinopathy Comprehensive (COMP) panel, is pivotal in diagnosing and managing various blood disorders. This comprehensive panel is designed to detect and monitor conditions involving abnormal hemoglobin, like thalassemia and hemoglobinopathies. Hemoglobin A2, which consists of two alpha and two delta globin chains, normally comprises a small fraction of the total hemoglobin in adults. The quantitative assessment of Hemoglobin A2 is essential, as its elevated levels are a hallmark feature in beta-thalassemia and other related hemoglobinopathies.

Hemoglobin F, an integral component analyzed in the Thalassemia and Hemoglobinopathy Comprehensive (COMP) panel, holds significant diagnostic value in the field of hematology. This panel is extensively utilized to detect and manage various blood disorders, specifically thalassemia and hemoglobinopathies, which involve abnormal hemoglobin production or structure. Hemoglobin F, or fetal hemoglobin, normally present in high levels in fetuses and newborns, is comprised of two alpha and two gamma globin chains. Its proportion in adult blood is typically low but can be elevated in certain hematological conditions.

The presence of antibodies to Hemp is an indication of food immune reactivity. The offending food and its known cross-reactive foods should be eliminated from the diet. Hemp is emerging as a popular alternative food source, especially for vegetarians. Very few studies have been done on Hemp as a food source, although some cases of sensitization and allergy to the plant have been reported.

Heneicosanoic acid is an odd-numbered saturated fatty acid.

Fatty acids with odd numbers of carbon atoms are produced primarily by initiating the synthetic series with the three carbon compound, propionic acid. Vitamin B12 is required for the conversion of propionate into succinate for oxidation in the central energy pathways. Deficiency of vitamin B12 results in accumulation of propionate and subsequent buildup of the odd numbered fatty acids, such as heneicosanoic acid.

What is hepatitis A?

Hepatitis A is a result of infection with the hepatitis A virus. Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease that can range in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a severe illness causing liver failure. Most people infected with the virus get well within 6 months. However, hepatitis A can be serious for older people and people who already have liver disease such as hepatitis B or C.

Hep A Ab, Total refers to the total antibody test for Hepatitis A virus (HAV). This test measures the overall level of antibodies, including both IgM and IgG antibodies, produced by the body in response to HAV infection or vaccination. IgM antibodies typically appear early during acute infection, while IgG antibodies persist for a longer duration, providing immunity against future infections.

Anti-HBc IgM increases rapidly, peaks during the acute infection stage of HBV infection, and then falls to a relatively low level as the patient recovers or becomes a chronic carrier. Anti-HBc IgM is useful in the diagnosis of acute HBV infection even when HBsAg concentrations are below the sensitivity of the diagnostic assay. The presence of anti-HBc IgM and anti-HBc IgG is characteristic of acute infection, while the presence of anti-HBc IgG without anti-HBc IgM is characteristic of chronic or recovered stages of HBV infection. The use of other viral markers such as HBsAg, anti-HBs, and anti-HBc total to differentiate acute from chronic hepatitis B is inconclusive because most of these markers are alsoseen in chronic infection.

Hep B Core Ab, Tot [aka Total antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc)] appears at the onset of symptoms in acute hepatitis B, is a measure of both IgM and IgG, and persists for life. The presence of total anti-HBc indicates previous or ongoing infection with hepatitis B virus in an undefined time frame. People who have immunity to hepatitis B from a vaccine do not develop anti-HBc.

Hep B Surface Ab, Qual refers to the qualitative test for Hepatitis B Surface Antibody (HBsAb). This test determines the presence or absence of antibodies against the Hepatitis B virus on the surface of the hepatocytes. A positive result suggests that the individual has developed immunity to the Hepatitis B virus, either through prior infection or successful vaccination.

A blood test, called an HCV antibody test, is used to find out if someone has ever been infected with the hepatitis C virus. The HCV antibody test, sometimes called the anti-HCV test, looks for antibodies to the hepatitis C virus in blood. Antibodies are chemicals released into the bloodstream when someone gets infected. Test results can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to come back.

Most people who get infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) develop a chronic, or lifelong, infection. Left untreated, chronic hepatitis C can cause serious health problems, including liver damage, cirrhosis, liver cancer, and even death. People can live without symptoms or feeling sick, so testing is the only way to know if you have hepatitis C. Getting tested is important to find out if you are infected so you can get lifesaving treatment that can cure hepatitis C.

Hepatitis A is a viral infection of the liver. This tests for the presence of hepatitis A antibodies. Elevated levels reflect immunity either through previous vaccination or exposure to the illness.

Measures both IgG and IgM forms of the antibody, but does not differentiate between these two forms. Hepatitis A antibody of IgG type is indicative of old infection and is found in almost 50% of adults.

The Hepatitis B Core Antibody (IgM) test detects a specific type of antibody — immunoglobulin M (IgM) — produced by the immune system in response to infection with the Hepatitis B virus (HBV).

This antibody targets the core antigen of the virus (HBcAg), which is found within the inner core of the virus. Importantly, the core antigen itself does not circulate in the bloodstream, so it cannot be measured directly. Instead, the presence of anti-HBc IgM serves as an indirect but reliable marker of recent or acute Hepatitis B infection.

Presence of antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) is used to determine immune status to HBV or disease progression in individuals infected with HBV. Anti-HBs levels can be measured to determine if vaccination is needed, or following a vaccination regimen, to determine if protective immunity has been achieved.

- Anti-HBs usually can be detected several weeks to several months after HBsAg is no longer found, and it may persist for many years or for life after acute infection has been resolved.

- It may disappear in some patients, with only antibody to core remaining.

- People with this antibody are not overtly infectious.

- Presence of the antibody without the presence of the antigen is evidence for immunity from reinfection, with virus of the same subtype.

The hepatitis B surface antibody test (HBsAb), looks for antibodies that your immune system makes in response to the surface protein of the hepatitis B virus. 

The presence of anti-HBs is generally interpreted as indicating recovery and immunity from hepatitis B virus infection.

Anti-HBs also develops in a person who has been successfully vaccinated against hepatitis B. Among vaccine responders who completed a vaccine series, anti-HBs levels can decline over time, however the majority are still immune and will mount a response when exposed to HBV.

< 10 mIU/mL is considered nonreactive for antibodies agains Hepatitis B surface antigen.

>= 10 mIU/mL is considered reactive for antibodies against Heptitis B surface antigen