Thalassemia Patients and Friends

Discussion Forums => Thalassemia Minor => Topic started by: shyamini on December 05, 2010, 04:11:01 AM

Title: what are the tests in identifying Thalassemia minors?
Post by: shyamini on December 05, 2010, 04:11:01 AM

Hi,

I need to know the procedure in identifying Thalassemia minor. I got to know that full blood count, patient's blood picture and HBLC enough..
But most of the time I saw in many posts they have done a hb electrophoresis test.. anyway what is the correct procedure in identifying Thalassemia?.. is blood picture is necessary?

Title: Re: what are the tests in identifying Thalassemia minors?
Post by: Andy Battaglia on December 06, 2010, 03:05:35 AM

The HPLC test should give the same type of results as the hemoglobin electrophoresis, so if the HPLC was already done, the electrophoresis probably isn't needed, unless there is still some uncertainty about the thal status.

Title: Re: what are the tests in identifying Thalassemia minors?
Post by: myndy on December 06, 2010, 04:28:37 AM

then after doing the hemoglobin electrophoresis test any test should be done ??

Title: Re: what are the tests in identifying Thalassemia minors?
Post by: Andy Battaglia on December 06, 2010, 05:03:16 AM

The only other test would be a DNA analysis. This costs more and takes longer to get results, but should reveal any silent traits. This is not often needed to test thal minors.

Title: Re: what are the tests in identifying Thalassemia minors?
Post by: shyamini on December 06, 2010, 06:26:20 AM

... Thanks Andy... but most of the online articles says that a Thalassemia carrier can revealed only from analyzing the microscopic image of the red blood smear... is this true????.. or after that as a confirmation of Thalassemia minor hemoglobin electrophoresis is necessary???

Title: Re: what are the tests in identifying Thalassemia minors?
Post by: Andy Battaglia on December 06, 2010, 08:27:53 PM

The electrophoresis is done by looking at a slide under a microscope.