can you have Both the thalassemia trait AND sickle cell trait?

Question

I have the sickle cell trait and I want to know if it is possible to have the alpha thalassemia trait too.

Answer 1

YES & its called sickle cell thalasemia.
but the anemia will be milder as the thalassemai cells has more Hemoglobin "F" that does not polymerize i.e. it does not sickle.
Inded the new treatment for sickle cell anemia is to give a drug that induces Hemoglobin "F" formation ,i.e. making the cells having thalassemai so that they wont sickle.

Answer 2

Sickle Beta Plus Thalassemia

Answer 3

Yes. A simple blood test will determine if you have this. In many states both traits are tested on the newborn metabolic screen with PKU (free and mandatory testing for all newborns), but unfortunately a few only test one or even neither and many have only started testing recently. This is probably an example of racism in our country as traits far less common than sickle cell were always tested but sickle cell is primarily in the black population. If you have not already had your free testing, you should be tested now. Any insurance or public health assistance would cover the cost and most free clinics would do it. Treatment is available but no cure. For the time being drink lots of water and see if your symptoms don't alleviate slightly. This would indicate either sickle cell symptoms or sickle trait with thalassemia.

While people who have only the sickle cell trait are supposed to be asymptomatic, I have heard several that believe they get mild symptoms. It makes sense to me that they could, after all there are varying degrees of sickle cell in those with a full blown disease. Again, I don't believe we've studied the disease very adequately so we can't say for sure. Only you know what you experience and I hope you are fortunate enough to find a doctor that will listen to you and try to help you. They get paid the same whether they're helpful or not so it isn't easy to find a good one.

Answer 4

is posible both thalassaemia grait and sickle cell trait. then what icture wikk be hplc

Answer 5

Sickle Cell Trait - The individual has no symptoms or physical findings that can be attributed to sickle cell trait. The diagnosis of sickle cell trait is established by an electrophoresis, isoelectric focusing or HPLC result that shows hemoglobin AS with about 55% hemoglobin A and 45% hemoglobin S. Hemoglobin, reticulocyte count and all laboratory tests are normal with sickle cell trait.
Sickle Beta Plus Thalassemia - The individual with sickle beta plus thalassemia may have symptoms of sickle cell disease. Physical findings can include splenomegaly, retinopathy, avascular necrosis and other sickle cell complications. The hemoglobin may be normal or reduced, but the mean corpuscular volume is almost always reduced and the reticulocyte count is elevated. Elevated lactic dehydrogenase and indirect bilirubin levels are common. The diagnosis of sickle beta plus thalassemia is established by an electrophoresis, isoelectric focusing or HPLC result that shows hemoglobin SA with about 5 to 25% hemoglobin A and 65 to 90% hemoglobin S with elevated hemoglobin A2 and F.
Sickle plus some other interacting hemoglobin structural variants. Individuals with hemoglobin SC disease are occasionally told that they have sickle trait by uninformed health professionals. Hemoglobin evaluation should be repeated if individuals with "trait" are symptomatic, anemic, or have evidence of hemolysis.
There are a number of hemoglobins that interact with sickle hemoglobin to cause symptomatic disease. These can be very difficult to differentiate from hemoglobin A on standard electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing. If a patient is symptomatic or has evidence of a hemolytic anemia and an HB AS pattern on electrophoresis or isoelectric focusing, further testing by reference laboratories may be indicated.

Treatment
Sickle Trait No therapy is required
Sickle beta thalassemia and other Compound heterozygotes These are treated as sickle cell disease.
Hematuria in Sickle Trait Microscopic or gross hematuria is an uncommon problem in individuals with sickle cell trait occurring in 1 to 4 % of individuals with Hb AS. When it occurs, it tends to be recurrent and can be severe and persistent. Iron deficiency, renal obstruction, infection, and other complications occur.
Treatment first requires a complete evaluation to exclude other causes of hematuria including cystitis, bladder, and renal tumors. Urine culture is always indicated. There is some evidence that medullary carcinoma of the kidney is more common in individuals with HB AS.

Initial treatment includes bed rest, vigorous oral hydration, administration of sodium bicarbonate to alkalinize the urine and diuretics and potassium if required. Individuals with persistent are admitted for strict bed rest and intravenous hydration with alkaline diuresis. Urologic intervention may be beneficial, however, nephrectomy to control bleeding is almost never indicated because of the high probability of recurrence in the contralateral kidney.

Nursing Considerations

Educate the carrier about the nature of sickle cell trait.
Provide counseling of the risks of having children with sickle hemoglobin disorders.
Inpatients with hematuria, monitor the patient fluid intake and output carefully, if fluid or sodium retention develops the doctor may order diuretics.
Tell carriers to use caution during very strenuous exercise in hot weather or at high altitude. Inadequate fluid intake, and excessive perspiration can lead to dehydration with risk of splenic infarct or hematurea.
Stress to the patient to continue taking the drug even when he feels better.
Prevention

Individuals with sickle trait are at an increased risk of serious complications when exercising at the extremes of human endurance. Adequate hydration and avoidance of excessive fluid loss with minimize problems. With extreme hypoxia and dehydration, rarely complications like splenic infarction and pain episodes may occur. Hydration and grade exercise are important preventive measures. White individuals with sickle cell trait may be at higher risk for these complications. All individuals participating in sports, whether or not they have sickle cell trait, should have adequate hydration before during and after exertion in hot conditions.

Individuals with hematuria should actively hydrate themselves before during and after physical exertion. In individuals who have frequent, severe or persistent hematuria may need to avoid activities that regularly cause episodes. Hydration and bed rest may abort episodes if done imediately

Answer 6

I have both