A blood test has shown that you carry haemoglobin C. Here is a brief explanation:
Haemoglobin C is one of a range of variations in the blood that doctors call “haemoglobin disorders”. 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 C. Carrying haemoglobin C 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 C from one of your parents, and could pass it on to your children. This is why you are called a “carrier” of haemoglobin C.
Haemoglobin C is common among people who originate from West Africa, North Africa, or the Caribbean area. It occurs occasionally in other populations.
Carrying haemoglobin C does not cause any health problems.
It could be important for the health of your children. Sometimes a carrier of haemoglobin C 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 C can only have a child with a sickle cell disorder if their partner carries haemoglobin S (sickle cell).
Tell your partner that you carry haemoglobin C, and ask they to have a blood test “for haemoglobin disorders”. 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 haemoglobin disorder, there is no risk that your baby could have a serious inherited anaemia.
Arrange to talk 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.
If you already have children, or you have brothers or sisters, they may also carry haemoglobin C.
Encourage them to ask their GP for a blood test “for haemoglobin disorders”. You can ask the counselling services directly about carrying haemoglobin C. Information on counselling services for haemoglobin disorders can be obtained from: