Thalassemia Patients and Friends

Discussion Forums => Miscellaneous Questions => Topic started by: JDinkum on January 30, 2008, 06:46:50 PM

Title: thal test
Post by: JDinkum on January 30, 2008, 06:46:50 PM

What blood tests will confirm my thalassemia status?

I've always been told since I was a kid I was "thalassemia carrier".  Since becoming more interested recently, I'm pretty sure I'm a beta thal minor (thanks Wikipedia!) but I'm wondering how I can confirm that.

Thanks
JD

Title: Re: thal test
Post by: Andy Battaglia on January 30, 2008, 07:01:44 PM

Hemoglobin electrophoresis is used to confirm thalassemia carrier status, although any examination under a microscope should reveal the small irregular red blood cells that are characteristic of thalassemia.