Flow cytometric analysis of lymphocyte subsets and lymphocyte surface ferritin shows no significant difference in the number of total T-cells, B cells, NK cells, helper T-cells (CD 4), suppressor T-cells (CD 8) and CD 4/CD 8 ratio among normal subjects (n = 11) and Hb E trait (n = 6), beta-thalassemia (beta-thal) trait (n = 5), neither in normal and nonsplenectomized patients with beta-thal/Hb E (n = 10) except B cells and CD 4. There is a significant reduction in lymphocytes surface spleen-type and heart-type ferritin in patients with beta-thal/Hb E when compared to normal subjects. No difference can be seen among patients with beta-thal/Hb E, beta-thal trait and Hb E trait. This low percentage of lymphocyte-bearing ferritin suggests a negative relationship between ferritin on the cells' surface and high circulating ferritin normally associated with thalassemic patients.