The test uses the principles of gel electrophoresis to separate out the various types of<unk>  and is a type of native gel electrophoresis. After the sample has been treated to release the<unk>  from the red cells, it is introduced into a porous gel (usually made of agarose or cellulose acetate) and subjected to an electrical field, most commonly in an alkaline medium. Different<unk> s have different charges, and according to those charges, they move at different speeds in the gel and eventually form discrete bands (see electrophoretic migration patterns). A quality control sample containing<unk> s A, F, S, and C is run along with the patient sample to aid in identifying the different bands. The relative amounts of each type of<unk>  can be estimated by measuring the optical density of the bands, though this method is not reliable for<unk> s that are present in low quantities. Because<unk> s exhibit different migration patterns depending on the pH level, testing the same sample at both an acid and an alkaline pH can help to identify some abnormal<unk> s that would otherwise be impossible to distinguish from others.
Hemoglobin electrophoresis
Reticulocyte production index
Serum protein electrophoresis
Coombs test
Total iron-binding capacity
Transferrin saturation
Complete blood count
Lipid profile