“I have a hematologist question?”

To know if you’re a carrier for Thalassemia, the test is a Hemoglobin electrophoresis, with quantitative A2 & F levels. This is for Beta that; for alpha thal, need to look at syntheses of alpha chains — would be low compared to beta chain number. These are blood tests that require under 10 cc of blood, with a purple top tube, so it won’t clot. They contain an anticoagulant to keep the red cells able to be analyzed. What is your genetic heritage? There’s a lot of Thal around the Mediterranean, where there was a lot of malaria, before we had antibiotics to get rid of the malaria.

People with Thalassemia are usually anemic. They have increased amounts of Hgb S/beta thalassemia or Hgb E/beta thalsessemia. If your parent does not have Thalassemia, then it is highly unlikely you have it.