Thalassemia Trait

Also known as: alpha thalassemia trait, beta thalassemia trait, silent thalassemia trait.

What is thalassemia trait?

Thalassemia is a medical condition in which the body makes less hemoglobin than usual. It causes anemia. There are four genes that contribute to the making of hemoglobin. Problems with these genes can cause thalassemia, but when only one of the four genes is affected, the individual has no symptoms and is known as having thalassemia trait.

What causes thalassemia trait?

Thalassemia is a genetic disease, and the abnormal genes are passed along from parents to their children. A person can develop thalassemia trait when they receive one of the genes from a parent.

What are the symptoms of thalassemia trait?

People who have thalassemia trait do not have the symptoms related to thalassemia, such as anemia.

What are thalassemia trait care options?

No treatment is necessary for an individual who has a thalassemia trait.

Reviewed by: Athena Pefkarou, MD

This page was last updated on: September 29, 2020 03:53 PM