What is beta thalassemia carrier?
A carrier of thalassaemia is someone who carries at least 1 of the faulty genes that causes thalassaemia, but does not have thalassaemia themselves. It’s also known as having the thalassaemia trait. If you’re a thalassaemia carrier, you will not develop thalassaemia.
What does it mean to be a carrier of thalassemia?
If you’re a carrier of thalassaemia, it means you carry one of the faulty genes that cause thalassaemia, but you do not have thalassaemia yourself. Being a carrier of the trait is sometimes known as having the thalassaemia trait or having thalassaemia minor.
Can you live a normal life with thalassemia?
People who have mild or minor forms of thalassemia can typically lead normal lives. In severe cases, heart failure is a possibility. Other complications include liver disease, abnormal skeletal growth, and endocrine issues.
Can 2 people with thalassemia have a baby?
If two people who are carriers of the same type of thalassaemia have children, their children have a: 25 per cent risk of developing thalassaemia major because they inherited the thalassaemia gene from both parents.
What is the genetic cause of beta thalassemia?
Beta Thalassemia Major is caused by genetic mutation of the beta-globin gene on chromosome 11 and both copies of the gene are affected.
What is the difference between thalassemia minor and major?
Thalassemia minor is a mild form of the disease in which the patient inherits only one mutated gene and act as a carrier. Thalassemia major is a severe form of the disease that can cause serious illness. Thalassemia is a group of genetic blood disorders that is characterized by destruction of red blood cells and hemoglobin higher than normal.
Can you have both alpha thalassemia and beta thalassemia?
Alpha thalassemia means you lack alpha hemoglobin. With beta thalassemia, you lack beta hemoglobin. Your doctor may also talk about thalassemia minor and thalassemia major, or Cooley’s anemia. The minor type is less serious than the major one, and your type won’t change. In some people, symptoms show up at birth.
Is alpha thalassemia life threatening?
Alpha-Thalassemia is one of the two forms of the life threatening blood disease known as Thalassemia. Read on to know all about its various types, symptoms and possible treatment options.
