What is alpha thalassemia silent carrier?

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 alpha thalassemia, but when only one of the four genes is affected the individual has no symptoms and is known as an alpha thalassemia silent carrier.

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Reviewed by: Athena Pefkarou, MD

This page was last updated on: 1/29/2019 3:21:13 PM