<prompt> Best diagnostic test in Thalassemia isHbFHbA2Serum iron levelsReticulocyte count  <response>: HbF 310-11- Ghai 6th 2035- Nelson 18th 308-Ghai 7lhLaboratory Investigations in Thalassemia The infant is bom only with HbF or some cases HbF and HbE heterozygosity for J3deg thalassemia Hb 2-6 gmdL, HbF T and HbA2 is nrmal Reculocyte count is commonly 8 and is in appropriately low compared with the degree of anemia because of ineffective erythropoiesis Unconjugated serum bilirubin level is usually elevated but the chemistry values may be normal at an early stages Peripheral smears shows - hypochromia, anisocytosis and poikilocytosis, Target and tear drop cell, Howell Jolly bodies Heinz bodies with marked basophilic stippling Bone marrow - hypercellular with erythroid hyperplasia with erythroid hyperplasia with increased number of stippled erythroblasts and side roblasts Osmotic fragility decreased Serum iron, serum ferritin levels increased 