A new method for measuring hemoglobin.

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Estimation of hemoglobin level is one of the most com-
mon laboratory tests. For economic reasons, Sahli’s acid
hematin method, although least accurate among all methods,
is still being used in many laboratories, particularly in devel-
oping countries. Keeping the cost almost the same, I have
developed and standardized the acid hematin method into a
colorimetric (photoelectric) method that is as accurate as the
cyanmethhemoglobin method.
In this new method, 200 µL 1.5% HCl (vol/vol) solu-
tion is placed in a test tube and 20 µL blood (preferably
venous) is mixed with the solution, which is then left undis-
turbed for at least 3 minutes. Then 5 mL distilled water is
added to the test tube and absorbance is taken with a photo-
electric colorimeter (filter 530 nm) or autoanalyzer/spec-
trophotometer (547 nm) after 5 minutes against distilled
water as blank. Acid hematin standard solution prepared
with preservatives can be used, but is not cost effective. An
alternative artificial standard with more stability also has
been prepared, but the cyanmethhemoglobin standard can
be used as a secondary standard.
It is interesting that absorbances for blood samples have
been found to be the same in both the cyanmethhemoglobin
method and my modified method. This similarity limits the
use of a separate standard for the new method. Many factors
affect both methods in the same way, but during my study I
found a new factor, high white blood cell (WBC) count, that
significantly interferes with both methods (1.2 to 1.4 gm%
increase in hemoglobin level per 0.1 million/µL WBC
count). To avoid this problem, supernatant solution must be
used during the absorbance measurement.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
A New Method for Measuring Hemoglobin
MUJIBUR RAHMAN
Rangpur Medical College, Rangpur, Bangladesh
Received March 28, 2003; received in revised form April 3, 2003; accepted April 17, 2003
Laboratory Hematology 9:1-xx
© 2003 Carden Jennings Publishing Co.,Ltd.
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#02-041-Rahman
ISLH
Official Publication
Correspondence and reprint requests: Dr. Mujibur Rahman,MPhil,
Assistant Professor, Microbiology, Rangpur Medical College, Rangpur,
Bangladesh (e-mail: mujib_dr2003@yahoo.com).