Question 1

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 2

what is a 3.7 deletion in alpha thalassemia?

Accepted Answer

: The mutated genes as the cause of alpha thalassemia. If interested, you can read more info from this article for this topic - https://www.nature.com/articles/gim9201117. Take care.

Question 3

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 4

alpha thalassemia / pvc's?

Accepted Answer

Probably not: Alpha thalassemia probably doesn't cause pvc's (premature ventricular beats, a type of extra heartbeat). However, some thalassemia patients have magnesium deficiency, which can make pvc's more likely to occur. Patients who get transfusions off and on may be drinking lots of coffee, using caffeine or phenols in coffee to decrease iron absorption, to hold off iron overload. Caffeine can cause pvc's.

Question 5

does alpha thalassemia causes leukemia?

Accepted Answer

No: There is no relationship between any form of thalasemia and leukemia.

Question 6

is alpha thalassemia an immunocompromising disease?

Accepted Answer

No: It affects red blood cells. Not white blood cells or any other component of the immune system.

Question 7

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 8

is it possible to have both alpha thalassemia and beta thalassemia?

Accepted Answer

Traits, yes: Because the Alpha and beta thalassemia gene mutations are common, it is possible for a baby to inherit one from mom and another from dad. The child could be "trait" in both Alpha and beta, or less likely, be "disease" in one and "trait" in the other. It is hard to imagine being "disease" in both and still survive.

Question 9

is is possible for someone to have both alpha thalassemia and beta thalassemia?

Accepted Answer

Traits, yes: Because the Alpha and beta thalassemia gene mutations are common, it is possible for a baby to inherit one from mom and another from dad. The child could be "trait" in both Alpha and beta, or less likely, be "disease" in one and "trait" in the other. It is hard to imagine being "disease" in both and still survive.

Question 10

can a person with alpha thalassemia marry someone with beta thalassemia safely?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Marriage is no problem. Getting pregnant, however, may not be recommended if they have moderate or severe thalassemia. If they have only "trait", they will be fine if their children only inherit "no trait" or "trait from either mom or dad". If a child inherits "trait" from both mom and dad, the child might have a problem. A geneticist and hematologist can give more details for individual cases.

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Alpha thalassemia signs

A member asked:

How can one inherit alpha thalassemia?

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What is a 3.7 deletion in alpha thalassemia?

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What are the common symptoms of alpha thalassemia?

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Alpha thalassemia / pvc's?

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Does alpha thalassemia causes leukemia?

A member asked:

Is alpha thalassemia an immunocompromising disease?

A member asked:

Can an alpha thalassemia carrier marry a beta thalassemia carrier?

A member asked:

Is it possible to have both alpha thalassemia and beta thalassemia?

A member asked:

Is is possible for someone to have both alpha thalassemia and beta thalassemia?

A member asked:

Can a person with alpha thalassemia marry someone with beta thalassemia safely?

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