What Does It Mean to Be a Carrier of Sickle Cell Anemia?

Published at 03 April 2025

Sickle cell anemia is a Genetic disorder it changes the shape of red blood cells, being crescent- or sickle-shaped instead of the normal circular shape, making them hard and sticky, and can cause blockage of blood vessels, preventing the normal flow of blood and oxygen. (1)

Sickle cell anemia can be detected by: Simple blood test and the results indicate one of 3 cases: (1)

The person is normal (not infected).
The person has the disease.
The person is a carrier.

Who is a carrier of sickle cell anemia?

Being a carrier of sickle cell anemia means that you carry one gene for the disease, either from your father or mother, and another healthy gene, and therefore you do not have sickle cell anemia and you will not get it at any later stage in your life. (2)

What does it mean to you?

You are in a good health: As a sickle cell anemia carrier, you can live a healthy and active life like perfectly healthy people.
No symptoms: You will not have the basic symptoms of the disease, such as pain attacks and anemia crises, but you may experience some symptoms in conditions where oxygen is low, such as climbing to high altitudes, for example.
The possibility of passing the disease on to your children: Sickle cell anemia carriers can pass the disease gene on to their children, and if your other partner is also a sickle cell carrier, there is a 25% chance of giving birth to a child with the disease, so you must make aware choices to prevent this from happening. (2)

How can I know if I have sickle cell anemia?

If you don't have any symptoms of sickle cell anemia, the only way to find out is by Blood test for sickle cell anemia, which may happen directly after birth in some countries, or in Pre-marital examination in most Arab countries, or you can simply do the examination at any time if you want to know your condition, and ensure the future of your children, especially if they are one family member infected with the disease or carrying it. (3)

Get peace of mind with comprehensive sickle cell anemia screening at Al-Ahli Hospital laboratories in addition to the advantage of genetic counseling from experts!

If you have sickle cell anemia, your test result will look like this: (4)

"HbAS”

Hb: Symbolizes hemoglobin.
A: Denotes a normal gene from one parent.
S: The sickle cell anemia gene represents the other.

Is there a risk to my health as a sickle cell anemia carrier?

Rest assured, most people with sickle cell anemia live perfectly healthy lives and do not experience any long-term health problems. But in very exceptional cases some people may face rare health complications when performing very intense physical activities or when exposed to hypoxic conditions Such as diving in the sea, climbing high mountains, or during anesthesia during surgical operations, because the body needs larger amounts of oxygen during this period. (5)

Although it is rare, it is important to take Preventative measurements to protect you from these complications. If you regularly engage in intense physical activity, be sure to drink enough fluids, avoid extreme fatigue, and always inform the medical team that you have sickle cell anemia before undergoing any surgery to take the necessary preventive measures. (5)

In rare cases it could be also Harmful to your kidneys if you are a carrier of sickle cell anemia. (2)

Can I get married and have children?

Yes, you can get married and have children just like everyone else, but there are things you should be aware of first: (6)

Sickle cell anemia is inherited in a recessive manner. This means that for a child to have the disease, he must inherit it from Both disease genes one from the father and the other from the mother.
If your partner is healthy (not carrying the disease), Your children will not be at risk of sickle cell anemia, but there is a 50% chance that each child you have will also be a carrier of sickle cell anemia.
If your partner is a carrier of the disease, there is a 25% chance that each child you have will have sickle cell anemia, or a 50% chance that they will be a carrier.

What should I do?

As a sickle cell anemia carrier, here are some things you can do: (5)

Know your condition: Read about sickle cell anemia carriers, and understand the potential health risks you may face in rare cases.
Talk to your partner: It is important to talk to your partner about sickle cell anemia and the risks of having a child with the disease in the future.
Ask your partner to be tested: advise your partner to get tested to find out if he is also a carrier of the disease.
Genetic counseling: If you or your partner are carriers, you can get genetic counseling to discuss the risks of having a child with the disease, and what your options are.
Talk to your family: Tell your family members about your condition, and encourage them to get tested.