Just found out I'm a Thalassemia carrier :(

Yammas · Nov 18th, 2011, 13:42 PM

So as the title suggests I got the results of my blood test back today they thought I might be a sickle cell carrier but it turned out to be this instead just wondered if anyone had any personal experience of it and could shed a bit more light on the condition as I'd never heard of it until today and just googled it (I know worst thing to do

) and now I've scared myself silly at the prospect of passing it on to my future children

missVN · Nov 18th, 2011, 14:46 PM

When I had my bloods at my very first midwife appt, my results came back as being a possible carrier of alpha thalassemia. No one could really tell me anything about it, I phoned the doctors and the nurse I spoke to googled it as I was on the phone to her

My midwife did say I would have been offered genetic testing (along with my oh) if there were any concerns but that didn't stop me reading about it and worrying.
Sorry I couldn't really help much but I'm sure you will be sent for further testing if there are any concerns

Yammas · Nov 18th, 2011, 14:52 PM

Thanks for your reply my doctor did the same when I asked him what it was lol!!!

Yh they said that I'll be sent for genetic councelling so they can give me more info about it then just cant help worrying about it though, just hope OH isnt a carrier as well.

**OmarsMum** · Nov 19th, 2011, 16:46 PM

My friend & two of her kids are carriers. Other than being a bit anemic, they live a very normal life with no health problems. They take folic acid to enhance iron absorption.

Your OH needs to test before TTC. If he's a carrier, there is 50% chance of having a baby with Thalassemia major which is serious. My ex-manager's daughter had Thalassemia major & she needed special medications, then she went for bone marrow transplant at the age of 5 years. Her sister who's a Thalassemia carrier donated the bone marrow. Now she's 15 yrs, she's a carrier like her sister & she lives a normal life with no complications.

If your OH is not a carrier, there is nothing to worry about hun, Thalassemia carriers dont have health issues other than low iron in blood.

Nov 18th, 2011, 13:42 PM	#1
Yammas Other Active BnB Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: My Happy Place Posts: 346	Just found out I'm a Thalassemia carrier :( So as the title suggests I got the results of my blood test back today they thought I might be a sickle cell carrier but it turned out to be this instead just wondered if anyone had any personal experience of it and could shed a bit more light on the condition as I'd never heard of it until today and just googled it (I know worst thing to do ) and now I've scared myself silly at the prospect of passing it on to my future children

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Nov 18th, 2011, 14:46 PM	#2
missVN Pregnant (Expecting) Active BnB Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: High Peak, Derbyshire Posts: 553	When I had my bloods at my very first midwife appt, my results came back as being a possible carrier of alpha thalassemia. No one could really tell me anything about it, I phoned the doctors and the nurse I spoke to googled it as I was on the phone to her My midwife did say I would have been offered genetic testing (along with my oh) if there were any concerns but that didn't stop me reading about it and worrying. Sorry I couldn't really help much but I'm sure you will be sent for further testing if there are any concerns

Status: Offline

Nov 18th, 2011, 14:52 PM	#3
Yammas Other Active BnB Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: My Happy Place Posts: 346	Thanks for your reply my doctor did the same when I asked him what it was lol!!! Yh they said that I'll be sent for genetic councelling so they can give me more info about it then just cant help worrying about it though, just hope OH isnt a carrier as well.

Status: Offline

Nov 19th, 2011, 16:46 PM	#4
OmarsMum Mum (Mom) BabyandBump Team Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: UAE Posts: 17,000	My friend & two of her kids are carriers. Other than being a bit anemic, they live a very normal life with no health problems. They take folic acid to enhance iron absorption. Your OH needs to test before TTC. If he's a carrier, there is 50% chance of having a baby with Thalassemia major which is serious. My ex-manager's daughter had Thalassemia major & she needed special medications, then she went for bone marrow transplant at the age of 5 years. Her sister who's a Thalassemia carrier donated the bone marrow. Now she's 15 yrs, she's a carrier like her sister & she lives a normal life with no complications. If your OH is not a carrier, there is nothing to worry about hun, Thalassemia carriers dont have health issues other than low iron in blood.

Status: Online

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