Hemoglobin C Trait

About 1 out of every 40 African-Americans has hemoglobin C trait. This trait also affects people whose ancestors came from Italy, Greece, Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean region.

However, it is possible for a person of any race or nationality to have hemoglobin C trait.

People with hemoglobin C trait have red blood cells that have normal hemoglobin A and an abnormal hemoglobin. The abnormal hemoglobin is called hemoglobin C. People with hemoglobin C trait have slightly more hemoglobin A than hemoglobin C. People with Hemoglobin C trait do not have health problems related to having the trait.

People with hemoglobin C do not have Hemoglobin C disease or sickle cell disease. They cannot develop these diseases later in life. They can pass hemoglobin C trait to their children.

Hemoglobin D Trait

People with hemoglobin D trait have red blood cells that have normal hemoglobin A and an abnormal hemoglobin. The abnormal hemoglobin is called hemoglobin D. People with hemoglobin D trait have slightly more hemoglobin A than hemoglobin D. People with Hemoglobin D trait do not have health problems related to having the trait.

People with hemoglobin D trait do not have Hemoglobin D disease or sickle cell disease. They cannot develop these diseases later in life. They can pass hemoglobin D trait to their children.