My parents are both from greece and i have been offered a ''hemoglobin electrophoresis'' test. what is this?

Blood test: Hemoglobin is the substance in red blood cells which carries oxygen. Hemoglobin electrophoresis, a blood test, can determine if a person has an abnormal hemoglobin type or amount. Abnormalities in hemoglobin, more common in certain ethnic groups, can be associated with certain inherited types of anemia.

Check for thalassemi: The doctor is checking for thalassemia. There is a type that is prevalent in mediterranean populations. Individuals may not have the mutation, may be a carrier, or be affected with the disease. They check this through a specialized blood test called hemoglobin electrophoresis in which abnormal hemoglobin molecules (due to the mutation) are detected.