HB F and HB A

[Manal]

Dear all

1) What is the difference between HB F and HB A(adult) in terms of their nature? I know that one is fetal and stays in the body until it starts to be exchanged with the adult one and thal are known to have it as part of their blood. My question is the difference in their capabilities, usefulness, being equal in functions................etc.

I know for example that HB A is able to carry glucose and oxygen while HB F carries only glucose and that is why it is found in the fetus as they don't use their lungs inside the womb of their mothers so HB A is not needed.

2) What do you think???
If HB F was of any use or benefit to humans, God could have let it continue and there would be no use for the HB A as it will add nothing???
OR
Having HB F is gift for thal as it works as an alternative to HB A even if it is not an equal alternative?

3) Does HB F comes also from the bone marow??

4) If you are intermedia, is it possible to calculate the percentage of good blood that you have?

Sorry for too much questions. But my mind can't stop thinking

Take care

Manal

[bernstein]

Hi Manal,

Hb A the adult one is maid by two alpha and two ß-chains
Hb F the fetal one is made by two alpa and two gamma chains.

Your son's mutation are both on the ß-chains. => increasing erytropoiesis would make more Hb A with dammaged red bood cells
By increasing the fetal hemoglobin you would undergoing the defect ß-chains.
only healthy red blood cells would be procuced.
The function of both Hb are similar. An adult individual could survive with fetal Hb.
Hb F comes from bone marrow like Hb A.

Hope i could help a little bit
Bernstein

[Vincenzo]

Hi, I want to try to add a little info.

B-chains (HbA) are production from bony marrow (first in flat boneses), while G-chains (HbF) are produced from the spleen and from the liver.