Persons with beta thalassemia minor rarely have physical signs or symptoms caused by this disorder and usually do not require any treatment. Hemoglobin levels may be slightly decreased but with little clinical consequence. A person with beta thalassemia minor has a normal life expectancy.
In this type of beta thalassemia, the body is able to produce enough hemoglobin A (due to decreased, but adequate, beta globin chain production) so oxygen delivery is close to normal as is the red blood cell lifespan.
The genotypes associated with beta thalassemia minor are B0/B or B+/B.
