Newbie, I just took my Thalassemia studies report

Hi Guys,

I'm Michael here from Malaysia, I know i'm might be a carrier or inherited but i never when for a test until recently...
I need your precious advice on my case here... i were stuck in between of a Major problem here where my future wife also diagnosed with Thalassemia Alpha... while my group the report shows that is Beta... and we plan to married and have kids...

here is the reading between my and my gf...

                                                        Me              GF
Haemoglobin                                      12.3            11.8
Total RBC                                           6.63           5.47
Red Cell Distribution Width                    13.9           13.1
Packed Cell Volume                              42              40
Mean Cell Volume                                 64              74
Mean Cell Haemoglobin                         19              22
Mean Corpuscular Hb Concentration        29             29
Reticulocytes                                       1.7            1.6
G6PD                                                Normal        Normal
Hc H Inclusion Bodies                  Not Detected       Detected
HB A2 Quant                                       5.2             2.5
HB F Quant                                         1.4             0.4

Conclusion                                  Beta Traits           Alpha Traits

Is my case here very bad??? Please i need your kind advice is very much appreciated...

Thank you in advance.

No, your case isn't bad at all. Carrying beta means you have a slightly decreased amount of beta globin produced. Carrying alpha means your future wife produces a lower than normal amount of alpha globin. It takes equal parts alpha and beta globin to make hemoglobin. If you have a child that carries both, all it means is that both globins will be produced at lower amounts but close to equal. Basically, they cancel each other out because of this. The child should have no worse and probably better health than either parent. There is no possibility of having a child with a major thal condition.

thanks Andy, but how about ourselves? because the report does not says we are in minor, intermediate or major condition...
does the reports shows that we are having minor thalassemia? or it shows we are a carrier of inherit only (silent carrier)
when i see the chart that you gave in another thread my condition does not meet all the condition of the minor category ...
that why i would like to seek for further information on our side...
then the physician said Beta is not lack of iron, but alpha is the one...
but in alpha group still depends on some case not every ppl are the same...

if the child have both then it is very sad case to tell him or her that they cannot married the one they love, if the other party have thalassemia...
i really need the support for my gf now as she is worried on the our condition...

Thank you for the explanation... cheers...

You are both carriers or minors. Your Hb would be much lower if it was anything more serious. Every single value reported is consistent with thal minor for both of you.

Neither involve lack of iron and iron should be avoided.

Your child may carry one, both or neither. All this means is that when your child is an adult, and if the child carries one or both, that any prospective partners should be tested to see if they also carry thal. It's not a big deal. Every thal minor should do the same.

thank you Andy very much for your patience...