Question 1

what are the symptoms of being a silent alpha thalassemia carrier?

Accepted Answer

Mild anemia: it could be mild hypochromic ,microcytic anemia.

Question 2

can an alpha thalassemia carrier marry a beta thalassemia carrier?

Accepted Answer

Of course you can: A person can marry anyone they like.  From a thalassemia perspective, and assuming your Alpha thal trait is in cis, your child has a 50/50 chance of being Alpha thal trait vs. Normal and a 50/50 chance of being beta thal trait vs. Normal.  Given there is consideration of inheriting two distinct trait states, it would be prudent to sit with a genetic counselor to understand the implications clearly.

Question 3

is there a certain kind of doctor that can determine if you are a silent alpha thalassemia carrier?

Accepted Answer

Specialists: Hematologists and geneticists are two highly trained physicians who can help you sort this out.

Question 4

how was alpha thalassemia named?

Accepted Answer

Conventional: As scientists investigated hemoglobin, the complicated compound in red blood cells that carries oxygen, they learned that it was made up of 5 parts; 4 of these are 2 copies each of 2 different proteins. They named these Alpha chains and beta chains. If you inherit a condition where the Alpha chains are produced in smaller amounts than normal, you have Alpha thalassemia.

Question 5

can alpha thalassemia be dominant?

Accepted Answer

Not quite: People normally have 4 Alpha globulin genes. A mutation in 1, 2, 3, or all 4 genes leads to the 4 levels of Alpha thalassemia. The genetics of the disorder is not all-or-none, not dominant-recessive. Instead, the more mutations, the worse the disease. One mutation = silent carrier (no symptoms), 2 muta. = Alpha trait (mild symptoms), 3 muta. = HGB h (moderate symptoms), 4 muta. = bart's (deaths).

Question 6

what is alpha thalassemia disorder?

Accepted Answer

Hemoglobin problem: Alpha thal is caused by mutations that effect the production of a part of the hemoglobin molecule (Alpha chain).  There are 4 genes involved in this production.  Mutations can occur in 1 to 4 of these genes.  The disease is more problematic the more genes are mutated.  This disease is inherited from parents.

Question 7

how can one inherit alpha thalassemia?

Accepted Answer

From Mom and/or Dad: Alpha thalassemia is caused by a mutation in one or more of the 4 genes that code for (holds the dna for) Alpha globulin, which is needed to make hemoglobin for new red blood cells. Mom and/or dad can carry the mutations. A child can inherit a mutation from mom, from dad, or from both mom and dad.

Question 8

who is at risk of getting alpha thalassemia?

Accepted Answer

Family history: Thalassemia is a genetic disease of the hemoglobin molecule and so only occurs through inheritance. A mutation in this gene is especially prevalent in persons of african, asian, middle eastern or mediterranean descent. Individuals with only one mutation of the gene will be asymptomatic, so genetic screening is necessary to precisely determine risk.

Question 9

what are the common symptoms of alpha thalassemia?

Accepted Answer

None to severe/fatal: Alpha thalassemia signs and symptoms:  silent carriers have no signs/symptoms; Alpha trait has mild anemia; HGB h (moderate) may have weakness, pallor, less growth, and need some transfusions; bart's disease (severe) is usually fatal before birth.

Question 10

what are the long-term consequences of alpha thalassemia?

Accepted Answer

None to severe/fatal: Alpha thalassemia signs and symptoms: silent carriers have no signs/symptoms (and live a normal life); Alpha trait has mild anemia (and generally live a normal life); HGB h (moderate) may have weakness, pallor, less growth, and need some transfusions; bart's disease (severe) is usually fatal before birth.

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Doctor answers about:

Alpha thalassemia carrier

A member asked:

What are the symptoms of being a silent alpha thalassemia carrier?

A member asked:

Can an alpha thalassemia carrier marry a beta thalassemia carrier?

A member asked:

Is there a certain kind of doctor that can determine if you are a silent alpha thalassemia carrier?

A member asked:

How was alpha thalassemia named?

A member asked:

Can alpha thalassemia be dominant?

A member asked:

What is alpha thalassemia disorder?

A member asked:

How can one inherit alpha thalassemia?

A member asked:

Who is at risk of getting alpha thalassemia?

A member asked:

What are the common symptoms of alpha thalassemia?

A member asked:

What are the long-term consequences of alpha thalassemia?

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