Hemoglobin A2

HematologyBlood HealthBlood

Hemoglobin A2 (HbA2) is a minor adult hemoglobin variant. It makes up roughly 2–3% of total hemoglobin in healthy adults, with the bulk being hemoglobin A. The percentage is reported alongside other hemoglobin types in specialized panels.

Why it matters: An elevated HbA2 percentage is a feature seen in beta-thalassemia trait — an inherited variation in how hemoglobin chains are produced. The number is one part of a hemoglobin-pattern review, not interpreted in isolation.

What Moves It

May increase with:

Beta-thalassemia
Iron deficiency

May decrease with:

Hemolytic anemia
Associated Conditions
ThalassemiaAnemia
Related Markers
HbAHbFMCV
Common questions

What is Hemoglobin A2?

Hemoglobin A2 (HbA2) is a minor adult hemoglobin variant. It makes up roughly 2–3% of total hemoglobin in healthy adults, with the bulk being hemoglobin A. The percentage is reported alongside other hemoglobin types in specialized panels.

What might a high or low Hemoglobin A2 mean?

An elevated HbA2 percentage is a feature seen in beta-thalassemia trait — an inherited variation in how hemoglobin chains are produced. The number is one part of a hemoglobin-pattern review, not interpreted in isolation.

What can affect Hemoglobin A2?

It may be higher with: Beta-thalassemia, Iron deficiency. It may be lower with: Hemolytic anemia.

More in Hematology
Fetal HemoglobinGranulocytesGranulocytes PercentageImmature GranulocytesImmature Granulocytes %Mid-Range Cells CountMid-Range Cells PercentageNucleated Red Blood CellsRed Cell Distribution Width - Standard Deviation

Track your Hemoglobin A2 over time

Upload your lab report and see where your values fall.

Get Started Free