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Sickle Cell Anemia
FAQ
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What is sickle cell anemia?
Sickle cell anemia is a blood disorder in which red blood cells are undesirably shaped like crescent moons. It's caused by a defect in the oxygen-carrying protein of the blood: hemoglobin. This causes red blood cells to die early, clump together, and get trapped in small blood vessels throughout the body.
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What are the symptoms of sickle cell anemia?
Sickle cell disease could cause:
- Severe pain
- Fatigue or low energy
- Dizziness
- Poor blood flow to organs
- Infections
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How is sickle cell anemia diagnosed?
Sickle cell anemia is diagnosed through a blood test that checks for abnormal hemoglobin, which is the blood’s oxygen-carrying protein. This blood test may also check for other anemia types, such as iron or vitamin B12 deficiency.
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What causes sickle cell anemia?
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited blood disorder caused by a defective gene called the Sickle Cell gene. People with the disease are born with two sickle cell genes, one from each parent. The disease is most common among people of African descent, but it's also found in people of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Indian ancestry.
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Do I need to visit a doctor?
Nope. You don't need a doctor's visit to get a test with us.
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How do I get my results?
You'll get your results via email as soon as they are available. We will notify you via SMS as well. You can also see them at any time in the future right in your dashboard where you can easily share them with your professional and compare them side by side with future tests.
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What is Sickle Cell Trait Test
A person with Sickle Cell Trait (SCT), which results from having inherited the sickle cell gene from one of their parents, does not have an illness. People with SCT typically lead normal lives and do not exhibit any symptoms of sickle cell disease (SCD).
What is Sickle Cell Trait Disease
A genetic disorder called SCD is present from birth. Red blood cells that have SCD change from soft to sticky and resemble the "sickle," a C-shaped farm implement. Red blood cells are constantly in insufficient supply due to the early death of sickle cells. Additionally, they become caught and obstruct the flow of blood when they pass through tiny blood arteries. Pain and other severe issues may result from this. When a child inherits two sickle cell genes-one from each parent-it is inherited. Children of a SCD patient may contract the illness or SCT.
Sickle Cell Trait Test for College
All college athletes who wish to take part in a competitive athletic program must either submit to an SCT test, show documentation of previous test results, or sign a release. The NCAA implemented this rule in response to a wrongful death lawsuit involving a student-athlete who unexpectedly passed away during practice due to a sickling crisis without being aware that he had the trait. Despite the fact that all newborns are now screened for SCT at birth, this wasn't always the case, hence the results should additionally be verified using a more exact test.
Not knowing anything could actually be fatal. But empowerment comes from knowledge. Athletes who are aware of their sickle cell status can take the necessary precautions to prevent major SCT-related issues and perform in strenuous collegiate sports programs more safely.
Who is at risk?
Those with African, South or Central American, Indian, Saudi Arabian, Caribbean, or Mediterranean ancestry are more likely to have the sickle cell trait. Even though the sickle cell trait is more prevalent in certain populations, anyone could be a carrier in today's homogeneous society. Rather than being related to race or ethnicity, the sickle gene is an inherited disorder.
- Most U.S. states test for sickle cell trait at birth, although the majority of athletes with it are unaware of it.
- Sickle cell trait affects roughly 8% of African-Americans and between 1 in 2,000 and 1 in 10,000 Caucasians in the country.
- The NCAA advises sports departments to determine if ALL student-athletes have the sickle cell trait.
How to detect Sickle Cell Trait?
A simple blood test can be done to find out if someone has SCT.
- Most hospitals and medical facilities offer testing, as do SCD community-based organizations and regional health departments.
- A "needle prick" is a procedure in which a small sample of blood is drawn from the finger and examined in a lab.
- If the test results show that someone has SCT, it is crucial that they understand what SCT is, how it can affect them, and whether or not SCD runs in their family.
A genetic counselor should be consulted if a person wants to learn whether and how SCD runs in their family. These experts have knowledge of genetic blood diseases. When discussing what is known about SCD in the person's family, the genetic counselor will have a look at the person's family history. A person with SCD should educate themselves as much as possible about this condition before deciding whether or not to have children.
What are sickle cell trait Symptoms
Seek emergency care for symptoms of stroke, which include:
- One-sided paralysis or weakness in the face, arms, or legs
- Confusion
- Difficulty walking or talking
- Unexplained numbness
- Severe headache
Sickle cell anemia symptoms typically start to show about 6 months of age. They can evolve over time and differ from person to person. Among the warning signs and symptoms are:
- Anemia: Sickle cells easily disintegrate and expire. Red blood cells typically last 120 days or so before needing to be replaced. However, a lack of red blood cells results from sickle cells, which normally expire in 10 to 20 days (anemia). Fatigue results from the body's inability to obtain enough oxygen if there are not enough red blood cells.
- Episodes of Pain: One of the main signs of sickle cell anemia are recurrent episodes of excruciating pain, sometimes known as pain crises. Red blood cells with sickle shapes obstruct blood flow to your joints, belly, and chest, causing pain.
- Swelling of hands and feet. The swelling is caused by sickle-shaped red blood cells blocking blood circulation in the hands and feet
- Frequent Infections: The spleen may become damaged by sickle cells, making it more susceptible to infections. Antibiotics and immunizations are frequently given to infants and kids with sickle cell anemia to help them avoid potentially fatal illnesses like pneumonia.
- Delayed growth or puberty: The oxygen and nutrients the body needs for growth are delivered by red blood cells. Lack of healthy red blood cells can prevent teens from going through puberty and slow down newborns' and children's growth.
- Vision problems: Sickle cells can clog the tiny blood arteries that supply the eyes. This can harm the retina, the area of the eye responsible for processing visual pictures, and cause vision issues.
Who is affected in the United States?
- 7% of African Americans
- 0.5% of Hispanics
- 0.2% of non-Hispanic Whites
- 1.5% of all newborns inherit SCT
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