At a Glance Isolated delta-thalassemia usually has no clinical manifestations. However, it may be associated with beta-thalassemia. What Tests Should I Request to Confirm My Clinical Dx? In addition, what follow-up tests might be useful? In a patient with microcytic anemia, if iron deficiency anemia is ruled out and red blood cell (RBC) indices suggest…
At a Glance Delta-beta-thalassemia should be suspected in a patient with microcytic red blood cells and erythrocytosis but no significant anemia. What Tests Should I Request to Confirm My Clinical Dx? In addition, what follow-up tests might be useful? If there is any anemia, tests to rule out an iron deficiency anemia should be performed,…
At a Glance Beta thalassemia should be suspected in a patient with a microcytic anemia with an erythrocytosis. Beta thalassemia is a microcytic anemia that results from a mutation in one or both alleles of the beta globin gene on chromosome 11. There are approximately 180 reported mutations, which are predominantly small deletions or point…
At a Glance Alpha-thalassemia should be suspected in a patient with microcytic anemia and erythrocytosis. There are 4 α chain genes, α1 and α2 on each copy of chromosome 16. As outlined in the subsequent table, the severity of the anemia depends on the number of mutated or deleted alpha chain genes. Deletion of 1…
