ThalASSemias MADE Less A$$ · Microscope Views (FREE)

ThalASSemias MADE Less A$$

Greetings my little gang of Nasties

Check out the attached chart for all the Thalassemias Simplified for the ASCP 🧬

Here’s a quick summary:

Thalassemias = ↓ or ⛔ production of hemoglobin chains (not abnormal Hgb like in sickle cell). It’s a problem with quantity, not quality.

Alpha Thalassemia (4 genes total):

🤫 Silent Carrier (1 gene deleted): basically normal

🔞 Trait/Minor (2 deleted): mild microcytic anemia

🚥 Hgb H Disease (3 deleted): moderate anemia

☠☠ Major (Hydrops fetalis) (4 deleted): lethal, only makes Hgb Bart’s = bad at oxygen delivery

Beta Thalassemia (2 genes total):

🔞 Minor/Trait (1 gene mutated): mild anemia

🚥 Intermedia (partial function): moderate anemia, possible iron overload

🧊 Major (Cooley’s Anemia) (no beta chains): severe anemia, transfusion dependent, ↑ HgbF & A2

👶 Delta-Beta Thalassemia:

Both delta & beta genes deleted → body compensates by ↑ gamma chains = ↑ HgbF

I hope this helps clarify the differences between thalassemias vs other hemoglobinopathies as well as remembering the genotypes and clinical presentation/symptoms.

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