Dx study for thalassemia?

Dx study for thalassemia?

• A. CBC
• B. Hemoglobin electrophoresis
• C. Ring sideroblasts
• D. Peripheral smear

Answer: (B)

Diagnosing thalassemia hinges on identifying the specific hemoglobin products the body makes. Hemoglobin electrophoresis directly separates and measures the different Hb types, so you can see patterns that define thalassemia—such as elevated HbA2 and HbF in beta-thalassemia trait and more pronounced changes in beta-thalassemia major, or characteristic patterns in alpha-thalassemia variants. CBC and peripheral smear can suggest a microcytic, hypochromic anemia and show target cells, but they don’t confirm the diagnosis. Ring sideroblasts point to sideroblastic anemia, not thalassemia, and aren’t helpful for identifying thalassemia.

Diagnosing thalassemia hinges on identifying the specific hemoglobin products the body makes. Hemoglobin electrophoresis directly separates and measures the different Hb types, so you can see patterns that define thalassemia—such as elevated HbA2 and HbF in beta-thalassemia trait and more pronounced changes in beta-thalassemia major, or characteristic patterns in alpha-thalassemia variants. CBC and peripheral smear can suggest a microcytic, hypochromic anemia and show target cells, but they don’t confirm the diagnosis. Ring sideroblasts point to sideroblastic anemia, not thalassemia, and aren’t helpful for identifying thalassemia.