Question 1

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 2

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 3

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 4

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.

Question 5

what is the difference between alpha and beta thalassemia?  are both the symptoms the same?

Accepted Answer

Similar but differen: Alpha and beta thalassemia are distinct and different disorders since they diminish the production of distinct and different globin polypeptide chains and particularly in the homozygous state that has distinct and different consequences. Alpha and Beta Thal minor are similar
Alpha Thal major is not compatable with life and results in miscarriage. Beta Thal major requires prolonged treatments etc.

Question 6

should you go ahead and get the h1n1 vaccine for your child if they have alpha beta thalassemia minor?

Accepted Answer

Yes: The flu vaccine is very important and as long as your child is over 6 months they should receive it.  Children with chronic diseases may receive the inactivated (not live) vaccine, but it is still important to get the vaccine as they are more susceptible to contracting the illness.  Getting vaccinated also helps protect the most vulnerable- babies not old enough to be vaccinated and the elderly.

Question 7

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 8

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 9

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 10

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.

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Is it possible to have both alpha thalassemia and beta thalassemia

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

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

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Can an alpha thalassemia carrier marry a beta thalassemia carrier?

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

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What is the difference between alpha and beta thalassemia? are both the symptoms the same?

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Should you go ahead and get the h1n1 vaccine for your child if they have alpha beta thalassemia minor?

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How was alpha thalassemia named?

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Can alpha thalassemia be dominant?

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What is alpha thalassemia disorder?

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How can one inherit alpha thalassemia?

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