₹ 500
10% OFF for Senior Citizens | USE CODE SS10 *
Test Name : |
Osmotic Fragility Test |
Also Known as : |
OFT |
Sample Type : |
Blood |
Report Timeline : |
Within 2 Days Hrs after sample collection |
This Test Includes : |
Price : |
₹ 500 |
The osmotic fragility test or OFT test, is a blood test that is performed to check if the red cells have a tendency to easily break apart. In haematology, the OFT test is a vital diagnostic tool that provides crucial insights into various blood disorders, including thalassemia, sickle cell anaemia, and spherocytosis.
The osmotic fragility test is used to evaluate the likelihood of red blood cells breaking down or getting ruptured. Red blood cells have edges made up of proteins that bind the cells together. Hereditary blood disorders such as spherocytosis or thalassemia can weaken the protein making it very fragile. When proteins covering a red blood cell are weakened, the cell becomes more likely to rupture.
In the osmotic fragility test, osmotic pressure is applied to the red blood cells in the collected sample, which is collected in a green-top tube that contains sodium heparin. The sample is then exposed to increasing levels of hypotonic saline solutions, till the point at which the cells burst or lyse. The results obtained from this test offer valuable information about the osmotic fragility of the red blood cells, helping healthcare professionals identify and classify blood disorders.
....Read MoreRecommended Tests
FAQs
The osmotic fragility test or OFT test, is a blood test that is performed to check if the red cells have a tendency to easily break apart. In haematology, the OFT test is a vital diagnostic tool that provides crucial insights into various blood disorders, including thalassemia, sickle cell anaemia, and spherocytosis.
The osmotic fragility test is used to evaluate the likelihood of red blood cells breaking down or getting ruptured. Red blood cells have edges made up of proteins that bind the cells together. Hereditary blood disorders such as spherocytosis or thalassemia can weaken the protein making it very fragile. When proteins covering a red blood cell are weakened, the cell becomes more likely to rupture.
In the osmotic fragility test, osmotic pressure is applied to the red blood cells in the collected sample, which is collected in a green-top tube that contains sodium heparin. The sample is then exposed to increasing levels of hypotonic saline solutions, till the point at which the cells burst or lyse. The results obtained from this test offer valuable information about the osmotic fragility of the red blood cells, helping healthcare professionals identify and classify blood disorders.
....Read MoreThe osmotic fragility test or OFT test, is a blood test that is performed to check if the red cells have a tendency to easily break apart.
The fragility test is prescribed if a person has been displaying symptoms that may indicate anaemia. These include:
In addition to this, the test is also prescribed by healthcare professionals when investigating blood disorders like:
The osmotic fragility test helps diagnose thalassemia, a genetic blood disorder that is characterised by abnormal haemoglobin production. Using the osmotic fragility test in a thalassemia diagnosis can help manage the condition in a better way.
Another application of the osmotic fragility test is in spherocytosis diagnosis. In this disorder, the red blood cells assume a spherical shape, which can significantly impact their function, causing them to weaken.
In diagnosing sickle cell anaemia, the osmotic fragility test is prescribed quite commonly by healthcare professionals. Sickle cell anaemia is a hereditary condition that causes the red blood cells to adopt a distinctive sickle shape, which may lead to various complications.
The osmotic fragility test result is typically generated within 48 hours after sample collection. You can collect the report in person from a nearby Max Lab or you can download it directly from our website. The possible results of the osmotic fragility test are positive and negative, where a positive result may indicate the presence of a blood disorder.
For a proper interpretation of the osmotic fragility test results, it is always wise to visit a doctor, who will be able to perform a diagnosis and build a proper treatment plan or suggest further testing, if required.