What are typical findings in the blood of a patient with sickle cell trait?

In patients with sickle cell trait, the typical findings in the blood include the presence of both normal hemoglobin A and abnormal hemoglobin S. Sickle cell trait occurs when an individual inherits one normal hemoglobin gene (hemoglobin A) and one abnormal gene (hemoglobin S) from their parents. As a result, their red blood cells contain a mixture of these two types of hemoglobin.

Individuals with sickle cell trait usually have about 60% to 70% normal hemoglobin A and 30% to 40% hemoglobin S. This combination allows them to generally remain asymptomatic, as they do not have the consistent sickling of red blood cells that is characteristic of sickle cell disease, where both hemoglobin S alleles are present.

The presence of only normal hemoglobin A would indicate the individual does not carry the sickle cell trait or disease at all. Likewise, the presence of only abnormal hemoglobin S would indicate sickle cell disease rather than trait. Increased white blood cells are not a specific finding associated with sickle cell trait and would not specifically indicate the presence of hemoglobin S. Thus, the identification of both hemoglobin A and hemoglobin S is essential in diagnosing sickle cell trait accurately