Following blood tests are performed on a donor.

• T.T. (Mountex Test)
• VDRL (Venereal Decease Research Laboratory)
• PRL (Prolactin)
• TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, thyroid function test)
• CBC (complete blood count)
• ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate)
• Blood Group
• Hemoglobin
• HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)
• HBsAg (hepatitis B test)
• RBS (Random Blood Sugar)
• HCV (Hepatitis C Virus)
• SGPT (liver function test)
• Serum Creatinine (renal test)
• Urine – routine and micro

DONOR GENETIC SCREENING
Current list of genetic screening tests performed on our donors:

THALASSEMIA (Hb Electrophoresis)

Regardless of ethnicity, all donors undergo a blood test called a complete blood count. This is a screening test that looks at the size, shape and amount of a person’s blood cells. This type of screening will detect some, but not all, individuals who carry alterations in their hemoglobin that could cause the genetic conditions alpha-thalassemia or beta-thalassemia in their offspring. The thalassemias are autosomal recessive genetic disorders that are part of a spectrum of diseases called the hemoglobinopathies, a group of illnesses that affect hemoglobin. Individuals affected with thalassemia generally have

• severe anemia,
• may require frequent blood transfusions
• other medical surveillance
• shortened lifespan,
• fetal demise or death in infancy.

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is an autosomal recessive condition that is more common and more seen in certain subgroups of Indian population . Sickle cell disease is part of a spectrum of disorders called the hemoglobinopathies, a group of illnesses that affect hemoglobin. Individuals affected with SCD can have painful Joint, bone pain, and are at increased risk for strokes, infections and organ damage.

Other genetic testing that may have been performed on donors

This test is done on a donor only on request by a couple. Chromosomes are found in the cells of our bodies, and they are the packages for our genes. Genes contain the genetic information that directs how our bodies will grow, develop and function. A chromosome analysis will only give us information about the number and structure of the chromosomes present. It will not give us information about specific genes. Infrequently, healthy and normal individuals carry chromosome rearrangements that are referred to as balanced translocations. Balanced translocations typically do not cause any health problems for the person with the translocation. However, people with balanced translocations are at increased risk for infertility, miscarriage and more serious chromosome problems in their children.
As chromosome abnormalities are infrequent and inexpensive to test, all the donors are not tested for their chromosome; however, if a patient is willing to test the chromosome of a donor, SAB can provide that facility at an extra cost.