Thalassemia Patients and Friends
Discussion Forums => Thalassemia Minor => Topic started by: andib on June 07, 2022, 08:23:08 PM
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Hi,
I have just joined to try and get some help with my blood test results, I am a 43 year old male (from the UK); I have had lots of odd issues over the last 10 years but GP recently did some blood tests after constantly feeling fatigued.
The blood test results are from 6 weeks ago:
Haemoglobin A2: 2.7%
Haemoglobin F: 0.9%
Haemoglobin A: 84.5% ?
Haemoglobin estimation: 143g/L (130 – 180)
RBC: 4.91 (4.50 – 6.00)
Haematocrit: 0.399 (0.400 – 0.520)
MCV: 84 fL (80 – 98)
MCH: 29.1 pg (27.0 – 33.0)
MCHC: 349 g/L (320 – 365)
Platelet count: 139 (150 – 400) ABNORMAL
Percentage reticulocytes: 1.70% (0.50 – 1.50) ABNORMAL
Reticulocyte count: 74 (20 – 80)
RETICULOCYTE HB: 33.7 pg (28.0 – 30.8) ABNORMAL
Immature Platelet Fraction: 16.1% (0.0 – 6.0) ABNORMAL
I am not worried about the blood tests as I know that the Hb, MCV etc are normal; I just wanted to ask about the Haemoglobin A - 84.5% - the GP I spoke to was a junior doctor, so wasn't able to help. As normal Haemoglobin A is 95 - 98%, should I follow this up in that I could be a carrier. Any advice would be greatly appreciated and apologies in advance as I am not familiar with Haemoglobinopathies.
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I would get tested again, since your latest results don't match prior tests and also do not include other types of hemoglobin that would cause a lower HbA if present.
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Interesting! I'd never heard of different types of HB!
https://www.biron.com/en/glossary/hb-a-hb-a2-hb-a1/
Andy - is there any use in getting the different types measured? I suspect a regular doc wont see the value in checking it.
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When a hemoglobin electrophoresis test is done, it gives the breakdowns of the types of Hemoglobin one has. A non-thal will have mostly HbA and small amounts of HbA2 and HbF. HbA2 is normally raised in thal minors and is used to diagnose the condition.