Testing is done to determine whether someone is carrying a sickle gene. Because sickle cell disease is a genetically inherited disorder, an individual may have the trait (carry one mutated gene from one parent) or the disease (carries two mutated genes, one from each parent). Sickle Cell tests may be ordered routinely as part of a newborn screening program. One or more may be ordered along with, or following, a CBC, blood smear, and iron studies to help evaluate a patient who has hemolytic anemia (anemia associated with broken red blood cells) and/or to investigate a patient who has symptoms suggesting the presence of sickle cell anemia.