Haemogobin Estimation by Non-cyanide Methods

Introduction Haemoglobin is an oxygen carrying protein in the red blood cells. It is estimated by the haemoglobincyanide method (HiCN). This method is known to be hazardous to the environment and occasionally harmful to the laboratory personnel also. Aims and Objectives: To compare and study the haemoglobin concentrations which were estimated by cyanide and noncyanide methods. To suggest the advantages of the cyanide free methods over the cyanide methods. To assess whether these methods were better as compared to the haemoglobincyanide method, for medical teaching, blood bank camps and for laboratory investigations. Materials and Methods: 2000 samples in which haemoglobin estimation was done by the haemoglobincyanide method, the Sodium Lauryl Sulphate method and a modified alkaline haematin method which used cetrimide were compared and statistically analyzed by using Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results: The haemoglobin concentrations which were estimated by the Sodium Lauryl Sulphate method and the modified alkaline haematin method were similar to those which were obtained by the conventional cyanmethaemoglobin method, with r=0.986 and r=0.996 respectively. Conclusion: The modified alkaline haematin method was as accurate as the cyanmethaemoglobin method. It was economical. The toxic effects of cyanide can be prevented by using this method commercially.