The dependence of the hemoglobin (beta plus gamma)/alpha chain synthetic ratio on the degree of anemia in beta-thalassemia (38561).

The peripheral blood hemoglobin (beta plus gamma)/alpha chain synthetic ratio in three homozygous beta-thalassemic subjects was shown to increase towards unity as their hematocrits were raised by stepwise transfusion. The observation that the chain synthetic ratio can vary in a given individual is discussed in relation to current understanding about the regulation of hemoglobin synthesis.