Diagnostic Laboratory Section

ACID HEMATIN METHOD

• Hemoglobin directly reflect the ability of the erythron to carry oxygen.
• The graduated measuring tube is filled with N/10 HCl up to graduation 2 and placed in the sahli haemometer.
• After mixing the blood sample, it is drawn up to 20 mark in the pipette. If the level of blood is above 20 mark, it is brought to that level by gently tapping pipette on a glass slide and never by applying cotton to the pipette tip. The excess blood sticking on to the side of the pipette is wiped off using cotton.

Haemoglobin pipette

• The blood is transferred into the acid in the measuring tube, rinsing the pipette by drawing the solution into it many times.
• The haemoglobin gets converted into acid haematin within 5 to 10 minutes.
• After 10 minutes either distilled water or N/10 HCl is added drop by drop, mixing the solution with the rod. It is added slowly till the colour matches with the standard on either side of the haemometer.

Haemoglobin meter

• The level of the solution in the tube (upper meniscus) is read and haemoglobin expressed in g/dL.

Result

• Haemoglobin content = -------- g/dL