Hemoglobin H disease caused by compound heterozygosity for α0-thalassemia Lamphun deletion and α+-thalassemia 3.7 kb deletion (--Lamphun/-α3.7) in a Thai elderly case

We report here for the first time with the deletional HbH disease caused by a compound heterozygosity for α0-thalassemia Lamphun type deletion and α+-thalassemia 3.7 kb deletion (--Lamphun/-α3.7) in a Thai elderly (61-year-old) subject. She was seen by her physician for fatigue and dyspnea. A physical examination revealed that she was a slightly pale patient. A complete blood cell count (CBC) showed microcytic hypochromic anemia (Hb 91 g/L, MCV 73.0 fL, and MCH 21.0 pg). However, she had no history for receiving a blood transfusion. Thus, the better understanding of genotype, phenotype, hematological and clinical features of this HbH disease (--Lamphun/-α3.7) will be useful for treatment, genetic counseling, prevention, and control programs of thalassemia in Thailand.