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Are You Missing These Options for Treating Haemoglobin SC Disease
November 28, 2020
What is the treatment for Haemoglobin SC disease? How is it different from other types of sickle cell diseases? If you have SC Disease, are you getting all the treatments you need? In this article, we consider how the SC genotype develops, its health effects and current recommended treatments.
Sickle Cell Disease covers a group of medical conditions affecting the blood – they are caused by inheriting an abnormal type of gene which controls the structure of the red blood cell.
Depending on the type of abnormal gene inherited, a person may have severe or less severe disease.
The problem that develops from inheriting an abnormal gene is that an abnormal type of Haemoglobin (Hb) is formed.
Haemoglobin is the protein we find inside the red blood cell and is the reason we have red coloured blood (from the haem pigment of the protein).
Haemoglobin is also the vehicle that carries oxygen around the body to cells where it is needed for vital work; while also removing carbon dioxide waste from the cells at the same time.
This is why having Haemoglobin in the right form and quantity is so essential.
There are, however, hundreds of different types of Haemoglobin in existence.
The most common, and the one most suited to do the job of transporting oxygen is Haemoglobin A.
This is what you have in almost all adults and starts developing in most children around the age of 4-5 months old.
Before this age, babies have another normal type of Haemoglobin known as Hb F or foetal Haemoglobin.
This is the type of Hb we have in very young children when they are born. It is replaced by Hb A as they grow older.
By age 6 months most of their haemoglobin is Hb A, with only very small amounts of Hb F.
When a person inherits an abnormal gene, they cannot develop the normal Hb A.
Haemoglobin C is one of the abnormal haemoglobin types.
A person with Hb C has inherited abnormal genes leading them to have either genotype AC or genotype CC.
Neither of these conditions is as severe as having the more common SS genotype.
But, did you know that having the S gene is so common, people are more likely to inherit an S gene from one parent; and a C gene from the other parent so they end up with the SC genotype?
A person with SC genotype has a less severe disease than those with the SS.
If you like to learn more about the difference between the two types SS and SC; and which is worse – check out this video.
The major problem we have with the Haemoglobin disorders is this: people ending up without enough Haemoglobin.
This is a situation we refer to as anaemia.
Anaemia is a broad term and has many causes, one of them being a complication from SC and SS disease.
This type of anaemia is called haemolytic anaemia. In haemolytic anaemia, because of the abnormal shape of the red cell (from the sickling cell developing), it is quickly destroyed.
By losing a lot of red blood cells at once, you also lose Haemoglobin leading to anaemia.
Haemolytic Anaemia is not cured by drinking blood tonic or malt drinks.
It is not even cured with Iron supplements.
This is because the reason it happens is that the blood cell itself is abnormal and cannot survive.
Therefore, the treatment is usually having a blood transfusion or trying to reverse the cause of the problem with the blood cell in the first place.
Of course, other types of anaemia happen when you do not have enough Haemoglobin but not because the blood cells are being destroyed.
For example, anaemia from not having enough iron in your blood such as if you have very heavy menstrual periods, or if you lose blood in your stools, or do not eat a balanced diet.
So while the result may be the same – that is anaemia, problems with Haemoglobin can be from not having enough of t, or when it is there, it is not the right type.
Haemoglobin SC disease is a genetic disorder affecting the blood cells that cause symptoms similar to those of sickle cell disease, but usually less severe.
And how does it happen? It is in the same way as people with SS genotype get the disease.
A person gets the Hb SC by inheriting an S gene from one parent and a C gene from the other.
But you may also ask: how common is haemoglobin SC disease compared to Sickle Cell Anaemia?
SC Disease is less common than SS dx; but more common than having CC disease.
(In CC disease, the person has inherited C genes from both parents.)
How severe is it? Its symptoms are similar to the symptoms of sickle cell disease but are usually less frequent and less intense.
Parents with the following genotype combinations could have children with the Haemoglobin SC disease:
AS genotype and AC genotype – 50% chance in each pregnancy of child being AA or SC.
SS genotype and SC genotype – 50% chance in each pregnancy of the child being SS or SC.
AC genotype and SS genotype- 50% chance in each pregnancy of the child being AS or SC.
The common health problems the people with SC genotype can get are:
The usual way to diagnose haemoglobin SC disease and differentiate between SS and SC disease is by doing a special test called haemoglobin electrophoresis.
This test separates and measures the different types of protein in the blood to identify them.
With such tests, you can locate Hb C, or Hb S, Hb A and so on – important as we note they may have similar symptoms in some instances.
They are quite similar to the treatment for SS anaemia and often depend on how severe the symptoms are.
Check out this video where we explore current options for a cure in Sickle Cell Diseases.
In summary, here is a list of the treatments a person with SC disease may need:
The following reasons may mean a person needs to be in the hospital for treatment:
We have identified specific treatments used as routine over the long term that can reduce the chance of death from the disease.
Folic acid helps to create new red blood cells necessary following haemolysis (destruction of the red cells).
Hydroxyurea is a drug that works by increasing Hb F (foetal haemoglobin) and thereby reducing sickling, reducing painful crises (by 50%).
It also decreases acute chest syndrome and the need for blood transfusion.
We use Hydroxyurea for patients with recurrent pain crises or other complications. The dose depends on the person – their blood counts and whether they develop side effects to the drug.
Hydroxyurea causes low white cell count, increasing the risk of infections; and low platelets making it hard for blood to clot.
We do not use it in females of child-bearing age as it can harm a developing foetus.
Other treatments for Hb SC disease can lead to side effects, as may be expected from the use of different medicines.
Some of these may be prevented by using the drugs only when needed and taking other non-drug measures like a good diet and regular moderate exercise.
There could also be a toll on the person’s overall physical and mental health from repeated hospitalisations and working closely with your specialist may help to reduce the need for them.
Are any of the above treatments missing from your schedule? You should speak with your specialist – not all may be applicable to you, but ensuring that you use the preventive measures to keep in good health with Haemoglobin SC disease is essential.
More Reading:
References:
Editing by AskAwayHealth Team
Disclaimer
All AskAwayHealth articles are written by practising Medical Practitioners on a wide range of health care conditions to provide evidence-based guidance and to help promote quality health care. The advice in our material is not meant to replace the management of your specific condition by a qualified health care practitioner.
To discuss your condition, please contact a health practitioner or reach us directly through response@askawayhealth.org
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