Thalassemia : At Last, the Secret to Thalassemia Is Revealed

Anemia is brought on by the rare blood condition thalassemia. The condition results from a shortage of red blood cells that deliver oxygen. O thalassemia, H thalassemia, and M thalassemia are the three primary subtypes of thalassemia. The most prevalent kind of thalassemia is O. The second most typical kind of thalassemia is H. The most uncommon kind of thalassemia is M.

Thalassemia is a diverse illness.
This implies that there are various forms of thalassemia, and each type has a unique cause.
The various forms of thalassemia are caused by other genes.
O thalassemia is caused by a mutation in the HBA1 gene.
The HBA2 gene has a mutation that leads to H-thalassemia.
The HBB gene has a mutation that leads to M thalassemia.

Thalassemia has no known treatment.
Treatment is based on the thalassemia type.
Blood transfusions are often used to treat thalassemia.
Traditional transfusions are used to treat H thalassemia in order to replenish the condition's lost red blood cells.
M-thalassemia cannot be cured.

Thalassemia can be stopped in its tracks.
It's known as carrier screening.
A test called carrier screening is done to find out if a person is a carrier of a thalassemia gene mutation.
A person who carries a gene mutation may be able to transmit the mutation on to their offspring.
There is not always a need for carrier screening.
People who are known to be carriers of a gene mutation can undergo carrier screening to find out if they have children who are also carriers of the mutation.

If a person carries a mutation in the thalassemia gene, they have a chance of getting the disease.
However, not everyone is at the same risk of acquiring thalassemia.
Those who carry the mutation have an increased risk of acquiring thalassemia.