An 18-year-old man is recently diagnosed with beta-thalassemia minor. His hemoglobin is 10.5 g/dL, and he feels well. Which of the following findings is characteristic of this condition?
An increased amount of HbF or HbA2 would be expected. As beta-chains are decreased in beta-thalassemia, the excess alpha-chains combine with gamma- and delta-chains to make HbF and HbA2, respectively.