Preparing questions in advance can help patients and parents to have more meaningful discussions with their physicians regarding their or their child’s treatment options. The following questions related to thalassemias may be helpful:

1. How can my partner and I be tested to see if we are thalassemia carriers?
   
   
2. If we are carriers, should we decide not to have children?
   
   
3. Given our test results, what are the odds our child will have thalassemia? Which form is most likely?
   
   
4. Can you test my unborn fetus for thalassemia?
   
   
5. How is this test done? Is it painful or risky?
   
   
6. My child has thalassemia. What type of treatment will be necessary for my child?
   
   
7. What are the risks of these treatments?
   
   
8. What symptoms will my child be likely to experience?
   
   
9. How will my child’s condition impact his/her quality of life?
   
   
10. What is my child’s long-term prognosis?