When we talk about different “types” of thalassemia, we might be talking about one of
two things: the specific part of hemoglobin that is affected (usually either “alpha” or
“beta”), or the severity of thalassemia, which is noted by words like trait, carrier,
intermedia, or major.
Hemoglobin, which carries oxygen to all cells in the body, is made of two different parts,
called alpha and beta. When thalassemia is called “alpha” or “beta,” this refers to the
part of hemoglobin that isn’t being made. If either the alpha or beta part is not made,
there aren’t enough building blocks to make normal amounts of hemoglobin. Low alpha
is called alpha thalassemia. Low beta is called beta thalassemia.
When the words “trait,” “minor,” “intermedia,” or “major” are used, these words describe
how severe the thalassemia is. A person who has thalassemia trait may not have any
symptoms at all or may have only mild anemia, while a person with thalassemia major
may have severe symptoms and may need regular blood transfusions.
