Haemoglobin Estimation: A Comparison of Different Techniques

Abstract

Four laboratory technicians, with varied experience in haemo-globinometry, estimated the haemoglobin levels of replicated samples of four specimens of blood on two days, with seven different methods. Two methods based on the use of photoelectric calorimeters gave the most consistent results, but one of the methods in which lysed whole blood is compared visually with a standard gave results which were almost as consistent, and which were better than those of any of the other methods. Skill in haemoglobinometry appeared to be of some importance in methods requiring dilution of fluids but of less importance in methods using whole blood. A further limited examination of two of the methods (the E.E.L. Colorimeter and the A.O. Haemoglobin meter) over a period of three months in routine laboratory work confirmed that the E.E.L. Colorimeter gave more consistent results than the A.O. Haemoglobin meter, though the difference was small and the correlation between the two was extremely high (r = 0.99). For routine haemoglobinometry in skilled and practised hands a photoelectric colorimetric method is therefore recommended, but for survey work and use in general practice, and particularly for occasional use, the A.O. Haemoglobin meter, in which the estimation is made on whole blood, is adequate and probably preferable to any of the other methods investigated. © 1966, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.