What labs are abnormal with thalassemia?
Your healthcare provider may order various blood tests to diagnose thalassemia: A complete blood count (CBC) that includes measures of hemoglobin and the quantity (and size) of red blood cells. People with thalassemia have fewer healthy red blood cells and less hemoglobin than normal.
How thalassemia minor is diagnosed?
A blood test can be done at any time to find out if you have the thalassaemia trait and are at risk of having a child with thalassaemia. This can be particularly useful if you have a family history of the condition or your partner is known to carry thalassaemia.
Is hemoglobin low in thalassemia minor?
Thalassemia (thal-uh-SEE-me-uh) is an inherited blood disorder that causes your body to have less hemoglobin than normal. Hemoglobin enables red blood cells to carry oxygen. Thalassemia can cause anemia, leaving you fatigued. If you have mild thalassemia, you might not need treatment.
What is normal hemoglobin levels for thalassemia minor?
The Hb levels remain at 6-7 g/dl and the clinical symptoms are similar to thalassemia intermedia. Transfusions are not required unless infections precipitate further anemia. Iron overload may occur. – Severe HbE/beta-thalassemia: The Hb level can be as low as 4-5 g/dl.
Is MCV high or low in thalassemia?
The blood count in β-thalassemia carriers shows low mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and low mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH). These parameters, which are easily measured by automated blood cell counters, can indicate suspicion of a carrier state.
Is MCHC low in thalassemia?
In heterozygous thalassemia, the peripheral smear may be more abnormal than that of iron deficiency, and the MCV and MCH are decreased; but the MCHC is normal in contrast to the decreased MCHC seen in advanced iron deficiency anemia.
Does thalassemia cause low B12?
Conclusion: It was concluded that frequency of iron deficiency and beta thalassemia trait are significant in vitamin B12 deficient cases with normal or low mean corpuscular volume.
Is iron low in thalassemia?
Distinguishing Iron Deficiency Anemia From Thalassemia Trait
The first difference is in the red blood cell count (labeled RBC). In iron deficiency, this value is low because the bone marrow is unable to manufacture red blood cells. In thalassemia trait, RBC is normal to elevated.
Does low MCV mean thalassemia?
Patients who have thalassemia have an anemia associated with microcytosis (low MCV) and hypochromia (low MCH), although the extent of anemia can be highly variable.
Does thalassemia minor make you tired?
Since your body has fewer red blood cells when you have thalassemia, you may have symptoms of a low blood count, or anemia. When you have anemia, you might feel tired or weak. You might also experience: Dizziness.
Why can’t thalassemia take iron?
People with thalassaemia may be advised to avoid iron supplements because they are at risk of iron overload. Carriers of the thalassaemia gene may be asymptomatic but pregnancy can precipitate anaemia and there is a chance that this may be inappropriately treated with iron replacement.
Is ferritin low in thalassemia minor?
Serum ferritin levels were measured in patients with thalassemia minor and nontransfusion dependent hemoglobinopathies. The lowest serum ferritin level was observed in minor alpha-thalassemia (8.29 ng/ml).
Should I take iron if I have thalassemia minor?
If you have thalassemia trait, your physician may prescribe iron supplements because your red blood cells are smaller than is typical. Unless you also have iron deficiency in addition to thalassemia, this is not needed and should be avoided.
What foods are not good for thalassemia minor?
Fruits/Vegetables that should be avoided or eliminated from the diet:
- prune juice.
- prunes.
- watermelon.
- spinach.
- leafy green vegetables.
- dates.
- raisins.
- broccoli.
What should I do if I have thalassemia minor?
People with thalassemia minor or trait usually do not need blood transfusions because they either do not have anemia or have only a mild anemia. Many times people with thalassemia are prescribed a supplemental B vitamin, known as folic acid, to help treat anemia. Folic acid can help red blood cells develop.
Does thalassemia minor affect iron levels?
The evaluation of iron status in Iranian adults in 2000 showed that beta thalassemia minor (BTM) may play a role in improving iron status in females. However in men, BTM can lead to iron overload.