Thalassaemia, as all other anemia forms, is related to a less than normal haemoglobin level. Therefore, more complete laboratory tests are needed to establish the diagnosis.

The following tests are needed:

  • Hemogram (blood count) - Blood test to count the number of blood cells, and also to determine the percentage of blood volume taken by blood cells. Based on such data, the mean cell volume (MCV), the mean cellular haemoglobin (MCH) and some other indexes are calculated. Besides numerical data, the red cells morphology is assessed with a microscope and the specialist is able to detect small alterations that may be indicative of thalassaemia.

  • Haemoglobin Electrophoresis - isolates and quantifies haemoglobin. In ß type thalassaemia minor, in most cases, there is a slight increase of haemoglobin A2. Other tests such as iron load rate, ferritin level, iron binding properties, fetal haemoglobin, unstable haemoglobin, etc, are required to fully diferentiate thalassaemia from other anaemia that could lead to wrong diagnosis.

    • The tests mentioned are relatively simple and allow the identification of thalassaemia carriers through the collection of a small amount of blood.


    Visit also: