Question 1

how is thalassemia diagnosed?

Accepted Answer

Blood tests: Thalassemia is diagnosed by blood tests: routine blood counts, hemoglobin electrophoresis to find out the types of hemoglobin one has in one's blood, and dna analysis to try to see if certain mutations are present.

Question 2

how do you diagnose hemoglobin e-beta thalassemia?

Accepted Answer

Pediatric Hematolo-: gists have the expertise to diagnose &amp; treat Hb E/β-thalassaemia, which results from co-inheritance of a β-thalassaemia allele, an alternative form of a gene, from 1 parent and the structural variant Hemoglobin E from the other. They check for co-inheritance of α-thalassemia &amp; polymorphisms, 2 or more alleles at 1 locus, that ^ synthesis of Fetal Hb. These are  factors that determine severity.

Question 3

what i need to do once i had diagnose "beta thalassemia" by doctor? what treatment i should do? please help me doctor..

Accepted Answer

Beta thallasemia: You should ask your doctor2give u info. On the type of thal.  U have. You may have the "minor" kind if u just got diagnosed. Eat foods that contain iron naturally instead of taking iron pills. The red blood cells that break down deposit iron in ur liver. So even if u r anemic it is not due 2 iron deficiency & if you take supplemental iron, you may add more iron 2 ur liver & it gets damaged faster.

Question 4

how common is thalassemia?

Accepted Answer

Millions of carriers: Thalassemia is one of the most common gene mutations in the world. Overall, an estimated 20-25 million people are carriers (1/300) (about 1/1000 in low-risk peoples, and about 1/30 in high-risk peoples). Low risk: japanese, korean, n. European caucasians, native canadians, native americans. High risk: mediterranean, middle eastern, south asian, south-east Asian (western pacific rim), caribbean.

Question 5

what exactly is thalassemia?

Accepted Answer

See below: Thalassemia is a blood disorder passed down through families (inherited) in which the body makes an abnormal form of hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. The disorder results in excessive destruction of red blood cells, which leads to anemia.

Question 6

how is thalassemia inherited?

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. Beta thalassemia is caused by a mutation in one or both of the 2 beta globulin genes. 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 7

how was thalassemia discovered?

Accepted Answer

Microscope: Thalassemia causes microcytic anemia - tiny red blood cells.

Question 8

what does thalassemia mean exactly?

Accepted Answer

Start with this link: There are several types.  This is a good starting resource.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000587.htm

Question 9

what are the symptoms of thalassemia?

Accepted Answer

Thalassemia: Thalassemia major can cause severe anemia and cardiac decompensation in first few months of life if not treated.Thalassemia minor causes mild anemia.
Thalassmia intermedia may require transfusions.

Severity of anemia causes pallor, jaundice,hematopoises in other organs causing splenomegaly, neurological symptoms, pallor, deformilty of bones of face/skull

Question 10

who should get tested for thalassemia?

Accepted Answer

Anemia: Patients who have a certain type of anemia that is not caused by iron deficiency could have thalassemia. If the anemia is severe and unexplained by other causes your doctor may wish to obtain a hemoglobin electrophoresis test for thalassemia.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

How is thalassemia diagnosed

A member asked:

How is thalassemia diagnosed?

A member asked:

How do you diagnose hemoglobin e-beta thalassemia?

A member asked:

What i need to do once i had diagnose "beta thalassemia" by doctor? what treatment i should do? please help me doctor..

A member asked:

How common is thalassemia?

A member asked:

What exactly is thalassemia?

A member asked:

How is thalassemia inherited?

A member asked:

How was thalassemia discovered?

A member asked:

What does thalassemia mean exactly?

A member asked:

What are the symptoms of thalassemia?

A member asked:

Who should get tested for thalassemia?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?