Heamoglobin A is decreased in beta thalassemias with the exception of beta thalassemia minima.
Beta thalassemia:
Beta thalassemia is a blood disorder that reduces the production of hemoglobin . Hemoglobin is the iron-containing protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to cells throughout the body. In people with beta thalassemia, low levels of hemoglobin lead to a lack of oxygen in many parts of the body.
Treatment for beta thalassemia may include: Regular blood transfusions. Medications (to decrease amount of iron in the body, called chelation therapy) Surgical removal of the spleen (if necessary).
The diagnosis of β-thalassemia relies on measuring red blood cell indices that reveal microcytic hypochromic anemia, nucleated red blood cells on peripheral blood smear, hemoglobin analysis that reveals decreased amounts ofHbA and increased amounts of hemoglobin F (HbF) after age 12 months.
