Relationship between Hb and HbA2 concentrations in untreated and Fe-treated iron deficiency anaemia.

The absolute concentrations of Hb (x) and HbA2 (y) were statistically correlated (a = 0.0208; b = 0.0170; r = 0.4700; P less than 0.05) in 29 subjects with iron deficiency anaemia. 15 days after a month course of iron therapy the mean percentage increase of HbA2 was greater (123.9%) than that of Hb (62.0%). HbA2 concentration was still correlated with that of Hb (r = 0.6632; P less than 0.001), but the values for intercept and slope (a = - 0.1476; b = 0.0383) indicated a relatively greater production of HbA2.