Thalassema carriers… genetics question

[sashastuck]

Hi, my partner and I have just found out that we’re both thalassemia carriers. I carry the beta trait and he carries the alpha trait.

My doctor (and google) explained how if we both have the trait, our child has a 1 in 4 chance of inheriting thalassemia. However, I can’t find ANY information online about what the outcomes are for a child of a beta AND alpha carrier.

If anyone has any experience or information about this I’d be so grateful to know, I’m driving myself mad. We’d planned to start TTC next month so I want as much info as possible beforehand! X

From www.gov.uk/government/publications/baby-at-risk-of-having-thalassaemia-description-in-brief/information-and-choices-for-women-and-couples-at-risk-of-having-a-child-with-thalassaemia-major

There are different types of thalassaemia major. The most common type is beta thalassaemia major. Babies can only inherit beta thalassaemia major if both biological parents are beta thalassaemia carriers.
If one parent is a beta thalassaemia carrier, and the other is a carrier of another type of haemoglobin, such as haemoglobin E or haemoglobin Lepore, the baby could inherit a different type of thalassaemia major.

However please note I'm just, like you, Googling this. The thalassaemia society ukts.org/ may be able to support with actual medical advice!

I myself am trying to scour the internet about whether I should be taking prenatal vitamins with iron in as, being a beta thallasaemia carrier myself, I was always warned against iron toxicity.....

You should be offered genetic counselling before trying to conceive, to answer all your questions

Thank you so much both. I’m booked in for a genetic counselling appointment next week.

I’ve not had any advice from GP regarding iron pre-natal, @Weaverdiva . However I’ve been taking folic acid for months now.. is that related to iron?! From research I’ve done, I don’t think it’s possible for a carrier to get iron overload but I could be wrong. Thanks again x