I've just been asked to have a haemoglobinopathy screen blood test- something I've never had before. I've just had a letter and form from my GP surgery out of the blue.Anyone else had one and know how/ why it differs from the usual haemoglobin count and what it's all about?

Maria

Thanks for this Paul. Interesting reading. My dad was Croatian so maybe something has been passed on to me. The test request came from the GP rather than my rheummy which is a bit strange. I did get called for extra B12, folate and haemoglobin tests in Dec by the rheummy because my anaemia has increased but further tests showed it had stabilised. I rang the GP earlier to find out why it had been requested. It was a different one who had picked up on it, not my usual one- he said he just wanted to make sure they weren't missing something. He seemed to think that it could be just the norm for me as I have RA, but I've decided to have the test anyway, in addition to the usual ones. Even if it is nothing else, I'm pleased they're being vigilant.

Maria