Thalassemia Patients and Friends

Discussion Forums => Thalassemia Minor => Topic started by: sherip on October 20, 2011, 01:06:44 AM

Title: newbie -- Thal minor?
Post by: sherip on October 20, 2011, 01:06:44 AM

SO glad to have found this forum. I was finally tested for B Thal last month. Here are the results:

MCV=73
MCH=22.8
MCHC=31.3
RDW=16.5
Hemoglobin= 11.6
HgbA=95.8
HgbA2=4.2
Hgbf=0

The conclusion on the lab results was Thal minor, but I see here on the forum that you suggest that HgbF would have to be other than 0 for this to be the case. Am I correct?

I definitely have symptoms of exhaustion and weakness on my left side, cramping in left foot etc. Being treated for adrenal exhaustion and investigating Lyme, but I think this certainly plays into it all.

Would you suggest any next steps?

Thanks!
Sheri

Title: Re: newbie -- Thal minor?
Post by: Andy Battaglia on October 20, 2011, 02:56:19 AM

Sheri,

All of the numbers look like thal minor except the lack of HbF, but since it can be less than 1% it can be missed in the blood test, as the experience of the tech running the test is a factor. Were there also any comments regarding the physical appearance of the red blood cells, such as microcytotic or monochromatic? There would also suggest thal minor when combined with the test numbers.

Title: Re: newbie -- Thal minor?
Post by: sherip on October 20, 2011, 09:09:39 AM

Thank you, Andy. There were no comment about the appearance of the red blood cells.

Sheri