Sickle Cell Trait
Carrying Haemoglobin S (sickle cell)
(Also known as having sickle cell trait)
A blood test has shown that you carry haemoglobin S. Here is a brief explanation.
Haemoglobin S is one of a range of variations that can occur in haemoglobin the blood, Haemoglobin is a component of the blood. It is red, and causes the blood to be red. The usual type of haemoglobin is called haemoglobin A. You have haemoglobin A and an unusual haemoglobin called haemoglobin S (sickle cell). Carrying haemoglobin S is not an illness, and will never turn into an illness. You will never lose it, and no one can “catch” it from you. You inherited haemoglobin S from one of your parents, and your children could inherit it from you. This is why you are called a “carrier” of haemoglobin S. Haemoglobin S is common among people who originate from Africa or the Caribbean area. It also occurs in the Mediterranean area (Portugal, Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Turkey and North Africa), the Middle East, and parts of India. It is found occasionally in other populations, including Northern Europeans.
Can carrying haemoglobin S cause you any health problems?
Very occasionally a sickle cell carrier who gets extremely short of oxygen has an attack of pain called a "sickle cell crisis". To avoid getting short of oxygen you should ensure that you have an adequate oxygen supply if you swim under water for a long time. Soldiers who carry sickle cell should avoid extreme endurance exercises in very hot conditions, such as in the desert. Occasionally a sickle cell carrier sees a little blood in their urine. Usually this is not important, and stops on its own. If you see blood in your urine tell your doctor, so that he or she can make sure there is not a more serious cause. If you ever go into hospital, tell the staff that you carry sickle cell. They will make sure you do not get short of oxygen if you have an anaesthetic.
Why is it important to know that you carry haemoglobin S?
It could be important for the health of your children. Sometimes a carrier of haemoglobin S has a child with a serious inherited anaemia, called a sickle cell disorder. The risk is small, but it is important to know about it because you can avoid it. A person who carries haemoglobin S (sickle cell) can only have a child with a sickle cell disorder if their partner also carries a haemoglobinopathy.
What should you do if you are thinking of having children?
Tell your partner that you carry haemoglobin S and ask him or her to have a blood test “for haemoglobinopathy”. Ideally your partner should have the test before you start a pregnancy. Their general practitioner (GP) can arrange it. If your partner does not carry a haemoglobinopathy, there is no risk that your baby could have a serious inherited anaemia.
What should you do if your partner also carries a haemoglobinopathy?
Show this leaflet to your GP. Ask for an immediate appointment to discuss your situation with a local specialist counsellor (see below for details). This is particularly important if you have already started a pregnancy. You can also contact the counselling service directly.
Is there anything else you should do?
If you already have children, or you have brothers or sisters, they may also carry haemoglobin S. Encourage them to ask their GP for a blood test “for haemoglobinopathy”. You can ask the counselling service for more information about carrying haemoglobin S.
Counselling services for haemoglobin disorders are provided in your area by:
Cardiff Sickle Cell & Thalassaemia Centre Butetown Health Centre, Loudoun Square Cardiff CF1 5UZ Tel: 029 2047 1055
Carrying Haemoglobin S (sickle cell)
(Also known as having sickle cell trait)
A blood test has shown that you carry haemoglobin S. Here is a brief explanation.
- A carrier of haemoglobin S is a healthy person.
- Carrying haemoglobin S (sickle cell) will not weaken you physically or mentally.
- You can eat what you want and do any kind of work you choose.
- You do not need any medical treatment because you carry it.
Haemoglobin S is one of a range of variations that can occur in haemoglobin the blood, Haemoglobin is a component of the blood. It is red, and causes the blood to be red. The usual type of haemoglobin is called haemoglobin A. You have haemoglobin A and an unusual haemoglobin called haemoglobin S (sickle cell). Carrying haemoglobin S is not an illness, and will never turn into an illness. You will never lose it, and no one can “catch” it from you. You inherited haemoglobin S from one of your parents, and your children could inherit it from you. This is why you are called a “carrier” of haemoglobin S. Haemoglobin S is common among people who originate from Africa or the Caribbean area. It also occurs in the Mediterranean area (Portugal, Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Turkey and North Africa), the Middle East, and parts of India. It is found occasionally in other populations, including Northern Europeans.
Can carrying haemoglobin S cause you any health problems?
Very occasionally a sickle cell carrier who gets extremely short of oxygen has an attack of pain called a "sickle cell crisis". To avoid getting short of oxygen you should ensure that you have an adequate oxygen supply if you swim under water for a long time. Soldiers who carry sickle cell should avoid extreme endurance exercises in very hot conditions, such as in the desert. Occasionally a sickle cell carrier sees a little blood in their urine. Usually this is not important, and stops on its own. If you see blood in your urine tell your doctor, so that he or she can make sure there is not a more serious cause. If you ever go into hospital, tell the staff that you carry sickle cell. They will make sure you do not get short of oxygen if you have an anaesthetic.
Why is it important to know that you carry haemoglobin S?
It could be important for the health of your children. Sometimes a carrier of haemoglobin S has a child with a serious inherited anaemia, called a sickle cell disorder. The risk is small, but it is important to know about it because you can avoid it. A person who carries haemoglobin S (sickle cell) can only have a child with a sickle cell disorder if their partner also carries a haemoglobinopathy.
What should you do if you are thinking of having children?
Tell your partner that you carry haemoglobin S and ask him or her to have a blood test “for haemoglobinopathy”. Ideally your partner should have the test before you start a pregnancy. Their general practitioner (GP) can arrange it. If your partner does not carry a haemoglobinopathy, there is no risk that your baby could have a serious inherited anaemia.
What should you do if your partner also carries a haemoglobinopathy?
Show this leaflet to your GP. Ask for an immediate appointment to discuss your situation with a local specialist counsellor (see below for details). This is particularly important if you have already started a pregnancy. You can also contact the counselling service directly.
Is there anything else you should do?
If you already have children, or you have brothers or sisters, they may also carry haemoglobin S. Encourage them to ask their GP for a blood test “for haemoglobinopathy”. You can ask the counselling service for more information about carrying haemoglobin S.
Counselling services for haemoglobin disorders are provided in your area by:
Cardiff Sickle Cell & Thalassaemia Centre Butetown Health Centre, Loudoun Square Cardiff CF1 5UZ Tel: 029 2047 1055
