Sickle Cell Foundation of Greater Montgomery, Inc.

Hemoglobin Types

Sickle Cell Anemia, Sickle Cell Trait and other hemoglobin variants can be identified by special laboratory tests.

The function of hemoglobin is to carry oxygen from the lungs to all parts of the body, and it is also responsible for the red color of the blood.

AA	Normal Adult Hemoglobin.The red blood cells are normal in shape and function.
AS	Sickle Cell Trait. This is the inheritance of an A gene from one parent and an S gene from the other. There are no symptoms because the red blood cells are normal in shape and function.
SS	Sickle Cell Anemia. This is the inheritance of an S gene from each parent. The red blood cells are shaped like sickles and do not carry oxygen as well as they should. General symptoms include severe anemia, fatigue, pain in any part of the body, jaundice of the eyes or leg ulcers.
AC	Hemoglobin C Trait.This is the inheritance of a C gene from one parent and an A gene from the other. There is no anemia and no symptoms.
CC	Hemoglobin C disease. This is the inheritance of a C gene from each parent. Symptoms include mild anemia, mild jaundice, and an increased tendency to form gallstones. Episodes of pain do not occur.
SC	Sickle Cell Hemoglobin C Disease. This is the inheritance of an S gene from one parent and a C gene from the other. Persons with SC hemoglobin sometimes experience the same symptoms as persons with sickle cell anemia, although the symptoms may not be as severe.