Keywords: HPLC, Hemoglobin-electrophoresis, Thalassemia, Hemoglobin variants, Retention time.

autosomal recessive disorders affecting hemoglobin molecules in different ways, qualitatively and quantitatively. The highest prevalence of thalassemia has been reported in the thalassemia belt and Mediterranean region countries and in Middle East including Iran. The present study evaluated the prevalence of α / β-thalassemias and hemoglobinopathies in a large number of Iranian populations. Methods: This five-year study was conducted on 3780 individuals. Initially complete blood cell count, HPLC, Hb electrophoresis and HbA2measurement for thalassemia carrier identification. MCV≤80fL, MCH˂27pg and Hb-A2>3.5 % were standard diagnostics β-thalassemia diagnosis. In cases with low MCV and MCH indices (MCV≤80 fl, MCH<27 pg) and Hb-A2< 3.5 % and normal Hb-electrophoresis, α-thalassemia was considered in the list of differential diagnosis. Patients wit