How do you know if you have sickle cell?

Testing...: There are simple blood tests that your doctor can run in order to tell if you have sickle cell disease or trait. Sickle cell disease is inherited from your parents. If either (or both) of your parents have sickle cell disease or trait, there is a possibility that you do also. For you to actually have sickle cell disease, both of your parents must have the disease or trait.

Sickle Screening: Generally, most cases of sickle cell disease in the usa are picked up by sickle cell screening at birth. If you have a parent that had sickle cell disease or carried the sickle cell trait it may be worthwile asking your doctor to review your complete blood count and if there are findings of anemia then to consider a hemoglobin electrophoresis.