Know your sickle cell trait status

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a group of red blood cell disorders. It can affect the shape of certain blood cells. The sickle cell trait gene is inherited. That means parents can pass it down to their child, just like the color of eyes, skin and hair. People with the sickle cell trait (SCT) have one sickle cell gene and one normal gene. They usually don’t have any SCD symptoms. But people with SCT can pass the trait to their children.

What is sickle cell trait (SCT)?

• SCT means that a person has the sickle cell gene passed from one of their parents. SCT is shown with a simple blood test.
• About 3 million people in the U.S. have SCT. Many are unaware they have it.
• Most people don’t have any symptoms of SCD, but some people with SCT may have complications like a pain crisis.
• Both parents need to carry the SCT gene for a child to have SCD.
• If you and your partner carry the SCT, there’s a 25% chance your child will have SCD. There is a 50% chance for your child to be a carrier.¹

Knowing your SCT status can help you

• Make family planning choices, like genetic counseling, prenatal testing and getting ready for a child with SCD, if needed
• Get the right medical care for things like pregnancy, kidney issues, heart disease or eye problems, and keep up with routine lab tests
• Manage the risk factors you can control, like pregnancy, obesity or smoking
• Be ready for lifestyle risks, like not having enough water, or low oxygen levels when you do intense activities¹

Visit these helpful articles to learn more about SCT and find community support:

• Sick Cells Resources: Understand sickle cell trait. Learn about testing. Know if you’re a carrier.
• Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Sickle Cell Disease: What Is Sickle Cell Trait?

Talk to your health care provider about getting screened for SCT. For testing locations near you, check with your doctor, local health clinic or community-based sickle cell disease organization. Here are a few resources:

• Visit the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America (SCDAA) at www.sicklecelldisease.org or call 1-800-421-8543 to find where to get tested in your community.
• Call the CVS Specialty Sickle Cell Disease CareTeam at 1-844-641-0413 for more support or visit our resource center.