A 43-year-old member asked:
what is alpha thalassemia disorder?
1 doctor answer
Dr. James Ball answered
19 years experience Pediatric Hematology and Oncology
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.
Answered on Aug 14, 2015
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A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Anthony LaBarbera answered
28 years experience Pediatrics
No: It affects red blood cells. Not white blood cells or any other component of the immune system.
A 48-year-old member asked:
Dr. Joseph Torkildson answered
39 years experience Pediatric Hematology and Oncology
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 ... Read More
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A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Kwok answered
33 years experience Pediatrics
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 dis ... Read More
A 25-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robert Kwok answered
33 years experience Pediatrics
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 hemo ... Read More
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