The Estimation of hemoglobin in the blood is most commonly prescribed in various physiological and pathological conditions and as both diagnostic and prognostic test for detecting Anemia.
PRINCIPLE OF SAHLI’s METHOD:
The principle of Sahli’s Method or Acid hematin method is quite easy that when the blood is added to N/10 Hydrochloric acid (HCl), the hemoglobin present in RBCs is converted to acid hematin which is a dark brown colored compound. The color of the formed acid hematin complex corresponds to the Hemoglobin concentration in the blood and is matched with the standard comparator.
ADVANTAGES OF SAHLI’s METHOD / ACID HEMATIN METHOD
* It is the simple and easy method can be done anywhere.
* Less Time consuming
DISADVANTAGES OF SAHLI’s METHOD / ACID HEMATIN METHOD
* Visual intensity may be different for different individuals by this method, particularly difficult for color blindness.
* This method estimates only oxy Hemoglobin.
* Color of the comparator fades easily.
* Carboxyhemoglobin, methemoglobin, and sulfhemoglobin (stable, green-pigmented molecule) are not converted to acid hematin.
* The acid hematin formed is not stable as the time goes on.