Does anyone know how you get tested to see if you carry the trait for thalassemia? I asked my doc but didn't get an answer. My fiancee and I are both of Mediterranean descent and are worried that our children might be at high risk for this condition. It won't stop us from having children, but at least we can know what the risks might be.

Check this: http://www.thalassemia.com/genetics/gettingtested.shtml

Yes, get your Dr. to get a blood test for you to check specifically for anemia. The battery of tests the lab can do will cover if you have the Thalessemia gene.

I have the recessive Thalessemia gene myself. If my spouse has the SAME Thalessemia recessive gene, then there is a 25% chance our offspring could develop thalessemia. There is T. Major and T. Minor, I think. The chances that both parents could have the same recessive gene is quite low, but the blood test should confirm.

look under www.thalassemia.ca (http://www.thalassemia.ca) for more info. TC

[This message has been edited by tc128 (edited 07-22-2002).]

[This message has been edited by tc128 (edited 07-22-2002).]

Another information source:

MEDLINEplus Medical Encyclopedia Clinical thalassemia (major and minor)
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000587.htm

According to this article, people from the Mediterranean are likelier to have the beta form.