Blood Group & Sickle Cell Genotype (AA, AS, SS)
Know your blood group and inherited sickle cell status.
This test is for anyone who wants to know their blood group and their inherited haemoglobin status, including carriers of sickle cell or beta-thalassaemia. It is commonly requested before pregnancy or family planning, before surgery or transfusion, for pre-employment and occupational health checks, and by individuals of African, Caribbean, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, or South Asian heritage who wish to understand their genetic risk. A simple blood sample is all that is required.
The test reports two distinct areas of your blood: your blood group and your haemoglobin genotype.
Blood Group
- ABO group: identifies whether you are group A, B, AB, or O, which is essential for safe transfusion and for understanding compatibility in pregnancy.
- Rh (D) type: identifies whether you are RhD positive or RhD negative, which is important for pregnancy monitoring and for transfusion matching.
Haemoglobin Genotype
- Sickle cell status: identifies whether you carry the sickle cell gene (AS), are unaffected (AA), or have sickle cell disease (SS).
- Beta-thalassaemia status: identifies whether you carry a beta-thalassaemia variant, which can affect red blood cell production and may be passed on to children.
- Haemoglobin A0 (HbA0): the main adult haemoglobin, used as a reference for normal haemoglobin production.
- Haemoglobin A2 (HbA2): a minor adult haemoglobin; raised levels can indicate beta-thalassaemia trait.
- Haemoglobin F (HbF): fetal haemoglobin, which may be elevated in certain inherited haemoglobin conditions.
- Haemoglobin S (HbS): the abnormal haemoglobin responsible for sickle cell trait and sickle cell disease.
- Haemoglobin A1b (HbA1b) and Haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c): minor haemoglobin fractions that help confirm the overall haemoglobin pattern.
- Any other haemoglobin variant present: detects additional unusual haemoglobin types that may have clinical or reproductive significance.
If you are booking this test for occupational health or clearance purposes, identity verification may be required. In this context, IVS stands for Identified Validated Sample (or Identified Validated Sampling): formal identity verification using photographic ID by a qualified phlebotomist at the time of sample collection, to satisfy occupational health, GMC, NMC, or GDC regulatory standards.
Why it matters
Knowing your blood group is vital for safe transfusion, surgery, and pregnancy care. Knowing your haemoglobin genotype tells you whether you carry sickle cell or beta-thalassaemia, which has important implications for your own health and for the risk of passing these conditions to your children. Early knowledge allows informed family planning, timely clinical monitoring, and appropriate preconception or antenatal support.
Blood Group - ABO
Blood Group - RhD
Genotype - HbA0
Genotype - HbA2
Genotype - HbF
Genotype - HbA1b
Genotype - HbA1c
Genotype - HbC
Genotype - HbS
Genotype - HbD
Genotype - Other variants (if present)
Genotype - Sickle status
Genotype - AA, AS, AC, etc.
β - Thalassaemia status (beta)
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.
Important Clinical Information:
This test is a screening tool to monitor and support your overall health. It does not replace your GP or consultant.
Always discuss your test results, especially any abnormal results, with your GP, who can interpret them in the context of your medical history and overall health.