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Tareq Abadl: Understanding Thalassemia – Breaking the ‘Ordinary Anemia’ Myth
Tareq Abadl/LinkedIn
Apr 15, 2026, 21:26

Tareq Abadl: Understanding Thalassemia – Breaking the ‘Ordinary Anemia’ Myth

Tareq Abadl, Medical Laboratory Specialist and Director of the Blood Bank at Dr. Abdelkader Al-Mutawakkil Hospital, shared a post on Linkedin:

“Many people think Thalassemia is just ‘ordinary anemia’… but in fact, it’s a complex genetic disorder that affects hemoglobin formation. Let’s break it down

Detailed Types

Alpha Thalassemia

  • One gene missing leads to Silent carrier (no symptoms).
  • Two genes missing leads to Trait (mild anemia).
  • Three genes missing leads to Hemoglobin H disease (moderate anemia with splenomegaly and bone deformities).
  • Four genes missing leads to Hydrops Fetalis (severe, often fatal during pregnancy).

Beta Thalassemia 

  • One gene missing leads to Beta trait (mild anemia).
  • Partial defect in both genes leads to Beta intermedia (moderate anemia, may need occasional transfusions).
  • Complete defect in both genes leads to Beta major (Cooley’s anemia) (severe anemia requiring lifelong transfusions).

Classification by Transfusion Need

  • NTDT (Non-transfusion-dependent): mild or moderate cases.
  • TDT (Transfusion-dependent): severe cases needing regular blood transfusions to survive.

Symptoms and Signs

  • Chronic anemia with persistent fatigue
  • Pale skin and poor appetite
  • Bone deformities and facial changes
  • Enlarged spleen and liver
  • Heart problems due to iron overload
  • Growth delay in children

Diagnosis – Basic and Advanced Tests

CBC (Complete Blood Count):

  • Low Hb.
  • Low MCV and MCH (microcytic, hypochromic).
  • Paradoxically high RBC count despite anemia.
  • Normal RDW (helps differentiate from iron deficiency anemia).
  • Presence of target cells under the microscope

Iron Studies:

  • Serum iron: normal or high.
  • Ferritin: normal or high.
  • TIBC: normal or low.

This distinguishes Thalassemia from iron deficiency anemia, where iron and ferritin are very low.

Hemoglobin Electrophoresis / HPLC:

  • Beta trait: High HbA2 (>3.5%), slight High HbF.
  • Beta major: markedly High HbF, low or absent HbA.
  • Alpha Thalassemia: presence of HbH (3-gene deletion) or Ho Bart’s (4-gene deletion in newborns).

DNA Analysis:

The most accurate method to identify the mutation and number of affected genes.

Role of Society

Spread awareness that genetic screening isn’t a luxury
it’s a necessity for protecting future generations.

Break the stigma around hereditary diseases and treat them as a shared health responsibility.

Support awareness programs in schools and universities to educate youth about the importance of premarital testing.”

Tareq Abadl

Other posts featuring Tareq Abadl on Hemostasis Today.

Alpha Thalassaemia anemia Beta thalassemia bleeding disorders Blood Cardiology Cooley’s anemia Ferritin HbF Health Hematology Hemoglobin Hemoglobin H disease Hemophilia Hemostasis Hemostasis News Hemostasis Today HgA Hydrops Fetalis Iron deficiency anaemia Medicine Mild Anemia Moderate Anemia NTDT Serum Iron Tareq Abadl TDT Thalassemia TIBC Transferrin
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