Does alpha-thalassemia minor have any symptoms?

Hello dear friends,

I was newly diagnosed as a alpha-thalassemia minor carrier, --SEA.

So far I have no symptoms. But I don't know how this disease will develop. The doctors just say "No problem, you can live just like a normal person". Is that true?

I have read here so many friends complain about their problems as a tha. minor. I worried a lot. I don't know these friends are alpha-thal. minor or beta-thal. minor.

Has anybody any experience of alpha-thalssemia minor?

Does alpha-thal. minor share the same symptoms as beta-thal. minor?

I hope some friends may give me a help.

Hi Bolu,

Do you have any other blood work results from a CBC (Complete blood count)? Do you have any symptoms of anemia? Has the father been tested for being a thal carrier? Being a carrier is typically not a serious thing, but I would like to see some other test results to confirm that this is no more than the alpha mutation. It's not a big deal if the baby is a carrier, as long as there is no thalassemia gene from the father, also.

Thank you, Andy!

I am so glad to hear you!

The father of my baby is complete normal, without Thalassmia.

My blood check result is as the following:

Code               Rresult     Unit   Ref.
WBC      5.0   10¬¬9 / L   3.5 – 9.7
LYM#1      1.4   10¬¬9 / L   1.0 – 4.5
MID1      1.1 ↑   10¬¬9 / L   0.2 – 0.7
GRAN1      2.5   10¬¬9 / L   1.8 – 6.4
LY%1      28.0   %   20 – 50
MID%1      22.0 ↑   %   5 - 12
GR%1      50.0   %   50 - 70
RBC      5.11 ↑   10¬¬12 / L   3.5 – 5.0 female
HGB      106 ↓   g / L   110 - 150 female
HCT1      36   %    35 – 45 female
MCV      70 ↓   fL   80 - 98
MCH      20.7 ↓   pg   27 - 32
MCHC      294 ↓   g / L   320 - 360
RDW - CV      15.4 ↑   %   10.1 - 15
PLT      181   10¬¬9 / L   100 - 400
MPV      10.7   fL   6.5 – 12.5
PDW1      19.2 ↑   fL   15.5 – 18.1
PCT1      1.93   ‰   1.0 – 2.8
GPD      1.7      1.0 – 2.3
HB1      No abnomal observed      
HBF      0.2      ﹤2%
HBA2                   2.4000    %    2 - 4
ROFT   red cell osmotic fragility test   positive




                                                    Result
Alpha-Thalassemia Genes Deletion Analysis   -- SEA
Alpha-Thalassemia Genes Mutation Analysis   Not seen
Beta-Thalassemia Genes Mutation Analysis   Not seen
      

Analyses of Alpha Thalassemia Genes:   --SEA,  -a3.7,  -a4.2,  HbCS,  HbQS, HbWS
Analyses of Beta Thalassemia Genes:   41-42,  654,  -28,  71-72,  17,  β E,  31,  43,  -32,  27/28,  -29,  -30,  14-15,  CAP,  Int,  Ivsl-1,  Ivsl-5

There are a total of 4 alpha genes on 2 chromosomes. With the SEA deletion, one set of genes doesn't work.  But the other set of genes works normally. This is called alpha trait and is not a dangerous condition at all. It means you will have a mild anemia, but nothing worse. It also means that this is the most your child can have because the father isn't a carrier. Your child will either be an alpha trait like you, or not a carrier at all. Nothing worse is possible, so please relax. The doctor was right that it isn't a big deal to be an alpha carrier. The only concern is when two alpha carriers have a child together, because a severe condition can result. But as long as only one parent is a carrier, there is no danger.

Thank you very much!