retested????

  • 2 Replies
  • 4635 Views
*

Offline judyp

  • *
  • 13
retested????
« on: May 31, 2010, 02:09:01 PM »
my son (almost 4 years old) was diagnosed with alpha thal by a hemotologist about 2 years ago.  my husband wants to get him retested to see "iif anything has changed"...he seems to think that perhaps the condition gets better..my son does not seem any different to me...i thought once he was diagnosed that was it...still my husband wants more blood tests...would there be any reason to have this done?...it seems like an awful lot for my son to go through if it is necessary...

*

Offline Andy Battaglia

  • *****
  • 8793
  • Gender: Male
  • Will thal rule you or will you rule thal?
Re: retested????
« Reply #1 on: May 31, 2010, 03:10:33 PM »
Judy,

Do you know what type of test was used for the diagnosis? Was it a DNA analysis or based on a hemoglobin electrophoresis?

His genetic status cannot change, but there may be reason to eventually have the DNA test if it hasn't already been done, but this would have more to do with him being informed later in life when it's time to make decisions about having children of his own. This is because there is more than one type of alpha minor and this can make a difference when paired with another alpha carrier. There are four alpha globin genes, two on each chromosome. If you go to our gallery, in the reference pictures (http://www.thalassemiapatientsandfriends.com/index.php?action=gallery;cat=7), you can see the two different types of alpha carrier and the potential outcomes when combined with another carrier. I do feel that your son should be tested at some point for this reason alone. However, if there is some concern about the accuracy of the diagnosis, testing now can clear that up. If the diagnosis was done through a DNA test, there is no point to further testing.

I do feel that because there have been symptoms not totally consistent with alpha minor, that a DNA test may shed some more light on his status. It involves no more than a simple blood draw and is definitely needed at some point.
Andy

All we are saying is give thals a chance.

*

Offline judyp

  • *
  • 13
Re: retested????
« Reply #2 on: May 31, 2010, 04:12:03 PM »
thx andy..as always, you are such a great help...i will call the hemotologist and see about the dna testing..

 

SMF spam blocked by CleanTalk