Low Haemoglobin and Sickle Cell Trait

[isi3000]

Hello there, just wanted to know if having the sickle cell trait would give you low haemoglobin? Was told that this could be the cause in my medical and therefore have to get another blood test to verify, but I was also told by a different doctor that the sickle cell trait does nothing to your haemoglobin levels. Can anyone help me?

Thanks in advance,
Izzy

[cats_five]

A bit of investigating via Google might answer your question. I'm also not clear if you have sickle-cell or are carrying it and that might make a difference as well. Since your doctors are disagreeing you are in the unfortunate position of having to become an expert yourself.

[isi3000]

Sorry for not making myself clear . I have sickle cell trait not full sickle cell anaemia. I did try a search on google and I could only get detailed information about sickle cell and not on the sickle cell trait.

[obgraham]

Sickle cell Trait (having only one of the two genes needed to have sickle cell disease) is not normally associated with anemia (low hemoglobin or hematocrit). Therefore, if you truly are anemic, a proper investigation as to why should be done. It's usually a matter of decreased production, or of unexplained blood loss. In a few cases, especially when the levels are borderline, no apparent cause is found.
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Graham MD

[isi3000]

Ok thanks