Title: Carrying alpha plus thalassaemia
Author: Prof Bernadette Modell
Last saved by: Matthew Darlison
Company: RF & UC Medical School, UCL

Carrying HPFH
(hereditary persistence of fetal haemoglobin)…
… is not an illness, and will never become an illness. It was passed to you by one of your parents and you could pass it on to your children.
It is a variation of the blood.
It will not affect the health of your children, even if your partner is also a carrier.
•	If you are thinking of having children, your partner should have a blood test “for haemoglobin disorders”, to confirm that there is nothing to worry about.
•	If you have children or brothers and sisters, they could carry HPFH like you.
To find out more, see your GP or a specialist counsellor.
The counselling service in your area is provided by: