What is Hemoglobin E trait?
• Hemoglobin E trait affects the hemoglobin in the red blood cells. • All red blood cells contain hemoglobin, which carries oxygen from the lungs to all parts of the body. • People with Hemoglobin E trait, have both normal hemoglobin A and abnormal hemoglobin E in their red blood cells. • There are several hundred different types of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin E is the third most common type of hemoglobin, after hemoglobin A and Hemoglobin S. • Hemoglobin E is very common in people of Asian descent. It can also be found in people of African, Indian, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean descent. People with hemoglobin E trait do not have Hemoglobin E disease or Hemoglobin E/Beta Thalassemia disease. They cannot develop these diseases later in life. They can pass hemoglobin E trait on to their children.
