Hello All,
I am quite happy that i found this website.
My wife is 17 weeks pregnant with second baby. She had done her test recently and she was diagnosed with "probable alpha-thalassemic trait". We had our doubts on reports as nothing was diagnoed in her first pregnancy and blood results were normal. We insisted on repeating the blood test to rule out any possibility of an error. Latest Blood reports also mentioned "no partner test indicated". Below are the test results - 2 from this pregnancy(most recent ones) and 1 from last pregnancy (3 years back).
Most recent Blood report
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(Haematology/Coagulation) Collected 22 Mar 2012 14:24 Received 22 Mar 2012 18:14
Hgb separation
HgbE/P pattern Hb A + Hb A2
Hb A2 3.1 % 2.3 - 3.4
Hb F 0.2 % 0.0 - 1.2
Haemoglobin separation comment
No abnormal haemoglobin detected
Probable alpha thalassaemia trait. Partner testing not indicated.
(Haematology/Coagulation) Collected 22 Mar 2012 14:24 Received 22 Mar 2012 18:14
FBC
WBC * 15.6 x109/l 4.0 - 11.0
RBC 4.64 x1012/l 3.74 - 4.99
Hgb 12.1 g/dl 11.4 - 15.0
Haematocrit 0.373 ratio 0.357 - 0.460
MCV * 80.4 fl 83.0 - 101.0
MCH * 26.1 pg 26.7 - 32.9
MCHC 32.4 g/dl 31.4 - 35.0
RDW 14.8 % 8.3 - 17.5
Platelets 223 x109/l 120 - 400
MPV 10.9 fl 8.0 - 12.0
Neutrophils * 11.5 x109/l 2.0 - 7.5
Lymphocytes 3.1 x109/l 1.0 - 3.5
Monocytes 0.8 x109/l 0.3 - 1.0
Eosinophils 0.2 x109/l 0.0 - 0.4
Basophils 0.0 x109/l 0.0 - 0.1
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Blood tests done last month....
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(Haematology/Coagulation) Collected 08 Feb 2012 12:28 Received 08 Feb 2012 13:43
Hgb separation
HgbE/P pattern Hb A + Hb A2
Hb A2 3.0 % 2.3 - 3.4
Hb F 0.2 % 0.0 - 1.2
Haemoglobin separation comment
No abnormal haemoglobin detected
Probable alpha thalassaemia trait. Partner testing not indicated.
(Haematology/Coagulation) Collected 08 Feb 2012 12:28 Received 08 Feb 2012 13:43
FBC
WBC * 11.4 x109/l 4.0 - 11.0
RBC * 5.03 x1012/l 3.74 - 4.99
Hgb 13.1 g/dl 11.4 - 15.0
Haematocrit 0.388 ratio 0.357 - 0.460
MCV * 77.1 fl 83.0 - 101.0
MCH * 26.0 pg 26.7 - 32.9
MCHC 33.8 g/dl 31.4 - 35.0
RDW 15.0 % 8.3 - 17.5
Platelets 236 x109/l 120 - 400
MPV 11.1 fl 8.0 - 12.0
Neutrophils * 7.7 x109/l 2.0 - 7.5
Lymphocytes 2.8 x109/l 1.0 - 3.5
Monocytes 0.8 x109/l 0.3 - 1.0
Eosinophils 0.1 x109/l 0.0 - 0.4
Basophils 0.0 x109/l 0.0 - 0.1
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Blood tests for last pregnancy...3 years bacl...
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(Haematology/Coagulation) Collected 07 Nov 2008 14:45 Received 07 Nov 2008 16:55
Hgb separation
HgbE/P pattern Hb A + Hb A2
Hb A2 3.0 % 2.0 - 3.3
Hb F 0.3 % 0 - 1
Haemoglobin separation comment
No evidence of common haemoglobin variant (e.g. Hb S or Hb C) or thalassaemia.
(Haematology/Coagulation) Collected 07 Nov 2008 14:45 Received 07 Nov 2008 16:55
FBC
WBC * 12.3 x10 4.0 - 11.0
RBC 4.85 x10 3.74 - 4.99
Hgb 13.5 g/dl 11.4 - 15.0
Haematocrit 0.385 ratio 0.357 - 0.460
MCV * 79.4 fl 83.0 - 101.0
MCH 27.8 pg 26.7 - 32.9
MCHC * 35.1 g/dl 31.4 - 35.0
RDW 13.4 % 8.3 - 17.5
Platelets 226 x10 120 - 400
MPV 10.6 fl 8.0 - 12.0
Neutrophils * 8.4 x10 2.0 - 7.5
Lymphocytes 2.9 x10 1.0 - 3.5
Monocytes 0.8 x10 0.3 - 1.0
Eosinophils 0.2 x10 0.0 - 0.4
Basophils 0.0 x10 0.0 - 0.1
Now, can any one please clarrify my following doubts..
1) If my wife did not have this earler then how it can suddenly come up? As far as i have read this is hereditary and can not be developed over the course of time. She has been a very active lady through out her life without any physical problems like anemia, fatigue etc..
2) If my wife is Alpha- Thal trait then i should be tested as well so that there is no risk to my baby but when we asked Dr about the same then he said that your blood tests are not required. Can someone please guide me if my blood tests are actually required or not as we want to know things and be mentally prepared for everything.
3) Are these results can be because of some other underlying problem other than Alpha-Thal trait?
4) Any inputs / pointers / explanations for these would be ighly appreciated as i not from medical background.
Thanks alot for your help.
-A worrying dad.