August 2026
M	T	W	T	F	S	S
	1	2
3	4	5	6	7	8	9
10	11	12	13	14	15	16
17	18	19	20	21	22	23
24	25	26	27	28	29	30
31

Seema Dawood: A Layered Approach to Identifying Thalassemia in the Laboratory

Seema Dawood/LinkedIn

Aug 27, 2026, 10:51

Seema Dawood: A Layered Approach to Identifying Thalassemia in the Laboratory

Seema Dawood, Medical Laboratory Technologist at The Aga Khan University Hospital, shared a post on LinkedIn:

“Automated approaches to identifying thalassemia in the hematology lab.

Thalassemia screening today relies on a layered automated workflow rather than a single test.

Each stage narrows the diagnosis before confirmation:

Automated CBC analyzers flag the first clue low MCV and MCH with a normal or high RBC count, often with disproportionately low RDW compared to iron deficiency anemia.

Discriminant indices (Mentzer index, Shine and Lal, England and Fraser) computed from these same automated parameters help differentiate thalassemia trait from iron deficiency before further testing.

HPLC quantifies HbA2 and HbF levels, the key markers separating beta-thalassemia trait from other microcytic anemias.

Capillary electrophoresis serves as a cross-verification method for hemoglobin variants, particularly useful when HPLC results are borderline.

PCR-based molecular testing confirms the specific mutation, essential for carrier screening and prenatal counseling.

Peripheral blood smear morphology (target cells, microcytosis, hypochromia) still anchors the initial suspicion automation doesn’t replace the morphologist’s eye, it supports the workflow that follows it.”

Seema Dawood: A Layered Approach to Identifying Thalassemia in the Laboratory