en Genetics & Disease Genetics & Disease Original Article Original Article Alpha thalassemia (α-thal) is relatively common worldwide. Most carriers are defective in either one or two alpha globin genes out of four functional ones, with deletions being more common than point mutations. The hematologic features are very important for the selection of the appropriate molecular tests while determining the genotype. The aim of this study was to compare hematologic features of patients with various types of α globin mutations. Hematological indices including red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin concentration (Hb), mean cell volume (MCV), mean cell hemoglobin (MCH), Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and percentage of Hemoglobin (HBA1, HBA2 and HBF) of seven-hundred and twenty two patients presenting ten different α-thal genotypes were considered. All patients showed reduced MCV and/or MCH values. Moreover, MCV and MCH were lower in patients with two functional alpha globin genes in comparison to patients with one mutated alpha globin gene (P value<0.001). In conclusion, MCV and MCH values can be helpful for the selection of the appropriate molecular tests to determine the genotype of alpha thalassemia carriers. Alpha thalassemia, Mean cell volume, Mean cell hemoglobin, Mutation 162 167 http://ijmcmed.org/browse.php?a_code=A-10-24-2&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Haleh Akhavan-Niaki halehakhavan@yahoo.com 10031947532846002301 10031947532846002301 Yes Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran. Reza Youssefi Kamangari 10031947532846002302 10031947532846002302 No Genetic Laboratory of Amirkola Children Hospital, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran. Ali Banihashemi 10031947532846002303 10031947532846002303 No - Genetic Laboratory of Amirkola Children Hospital, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran. Vahid Kholghi Oskooei 10031947532846002304 10031947532846002304 No Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran. Mandana Azizi 10031947532846002305 10031947532846002305 No Genetic Laboratory of Amirkola Children Hospital, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran. Ahmad Tamaddoni 10031947532846002306 10031947532846002306 No Non-Communicable Pediatric Diseases Research Center, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran. Sadegh Sedaghat 10031947532846002307 10031947532846002307 No Ayatollah Roohani Hospital, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran. Mohsen Vakili 10031947532846002308 10031947532846002308 No Ayatollah Roohani Hospital, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran. Hassan Mahmoudi Nesheli 10031947532846002309 10031947532846002309 No Non-Communicable Pediatric Diseases Research Center, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran. Soraya Shabani 10031947532846002310 10031947532846002310 No Genetic Laboratory of Amirkola Children Hospital, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.