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Your healthcare provider will figure out the best treatment based on:
- Your age, overall health, and medical history
- How sick you are
- How well you can handle certain medicines, procedures, or therapies
- How long the condition is expected to last
- Your opinion or preference
What is the best treatment for thalassemia?
- Complete blood count (CBC). This test checks the size, number, and maturity of different blood cells in a set volume of blood.
- Hemoglobin electrophoresis with A2 and F quantitation. A lab test that tells what type of hemoglobin is present.
- FEP (free-erythrocyte protoporphyrin) and ferritin. This test is done to rule out iron-deficiency anemia.
How is thalassemia diagnosed and how it is treated?
You might also experience:
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath
- A fast heart beat
- Headache
- Leg cramps
- Difficulty concentrating
- Pale skin
Is there a cure for thalassemia?
Your MCV may be elevated or you MCH may be elevated. Also, metformin may make you more sensitive to the affects of alcohol on your liver. In other words, an acceptable amount of alcohol - 2 drinks a day -- may combine with metformin to push your MCV above the normal range. A problem with metformin is that it causes macrocytosis.
Can you drink alcohol with thalassemia?
What is the treatment for alpha thalassemia?
Blood transfusions—are the main treatment for people with severe alpha thalassemia. This treatment provides healthy red blood cells with normal hemoglobin. Because red blood cells only live about three months, repeated transfusions may be needed to maintain a healthy supply of red blood cells.
Are there any treatments or cures for thalassemia?
Folic acid supplements can help your body make healthy blood cells. Bone marrow and stem cell transplant from a compatible related donor is the only treatment to cure thalassemia.
How are thalassemias diagnosed?
Doctors diagnose thalassemias using blood tests. The disorders are treated with blood transfusions, medicines, and other procedures. Treatments for thalassemias have improved over the years. People who have moderate or severe thalassemias are now living longer and have better quality of life.
How is iron deficiency thalassemia treated?
Treatment is not needed nor recommended. This is a lifelong condition with mild anemia and small red blood cells. People with thalassemia trait should not take iron supplementation, as this will not improve your anemia. Having thalassemia trait should not cause you to have any health issues.
What vitamins should I take if I have thalassemia minor?
People with thalassemia minor or trait usually do not need blood transfusions because they either do not have anemia or have only a mild anemia. Many times people with thalassemia are prescribed a supplemental B vitamin, known as folic acid, to help treat anemia. Folic acid can help red blood cells develop.
What is the fastest way to increase red blood cells?
5 nutrients that increase red blood cell countsred meat, such as beef.organ meat, such as kidney and liver.dark, leafy, green vegetables, such as spinach and kale.dried fruits, such as prunes and raisins.beans.legumes.egg yolks.
How can we prevent thalassemia during pregnancy?
According to recent data, low-dose aspirin, frequently administered to splenectomized β-thalassemia patients, seems to be effective in preventing preeclampsia, preterm birth, and IUGR in high-risk pregnancies without posing a major safety risk to mothers or fetuses.
How do I know if my baby has thalassemia?
How is beta thalassemia diagnosed in a child?Complete blood count (CBC). A complete blood count checks the red and white blood cells, blood clotting cells (platelets), and sometimes, young red blood cells. ... Peripheral smear. ... Hemoglobin electrophoresis. ... Iron studies. ... DNA testing.
How is thalassemia carrier detected?
A blood test can be done at any time to find out if you have the thalassaemia trait and are at risk of having a child with thalassaemia. This can be particularly useful if you have a family history of the condition or your partner is known to carry thalassaemia.
How effective are iron infusions?
How effective is an iron infusion when treating iron deficiency anemia? Multiple studies have shown that iron infusions are more effective than oral iron for IDA. In many cases, a single iron infusion can fully replace iron supplies in the body. But iron infusions don't just raise iron levels.
How long after iron infusion will I feel better?
How long after my iron infusion will I start to feel better? Your iron levels will be restored directly right after the infusion, however, it can take up to two weeks before you start to notice a difference and feel better.
How long does it take iron infusions to work?
Injectafer infusions work rapidly and effectively to correct iron levels and some people start to feel an improvement in their symptoms within a week. It takes 2 to 3 weeks for the anaemia to be corrected and then you should have better concentration, more energy and have less breathlessness and fatigue.
If I Have Thalassemia, How Does It Affect My body?
Since your body has fewer red blood cells when you have thalassemia, you may have symptoms of a low blood count, or anemia. When you have anemia, y...
How Is Thalassemia Treated?
The type of treatment a person receives depends on how severe the thalassemia is. The more severe the thalassemia, the less hemoglobin the body has...
How Do Blood Transfusions Affect My body?
People who receive a lot of blood transfusions are at risk for iron overload. Red blood cells contain a lot of iron, and over time, the iron from a...
How is thalassemia treated?
Hear Robert’s tips on how to successfully transition to adult care for thalassemia.
How to tell if you have thalassemia?
Since your body has fewer red blood cells when you have thalassemia, you may have symptoms of a low blood count, or anemia. When you have anemia, you might feel tired or weak. You might also experience: 1 Dizziness 2 Shortness of breath 3 A fast heart beat 4 Headache 5 Leg cramps 6 Difficulty concentrating 7 Pale skin
Why is thalassemia considered immunocompromised?
Because of this, people with thalassemia are said to be “immunocompromised,” which means that some of the body’s defenses against infection aren’t working. When you are immunocompromised, it is easier for you to get infections and you sometimes need extra protection, like flu shots and other vaccines.
What is the best vitamin for thalassemia?
Many times people with thalassemia are prescribed a supplemental B vitamin, known as folic acid, to help treat anemia. Folic acid can help red blood cells develop. Treatment with folic acid is usually done in addition to other therapies.
Can thalassemia cause low blood count?
Please try again later. Since your body has fewer red blood cells when you have thalassemia, you may have symptoms of a low blood count, or anemia. When you have anemia, you might feel tired or weak. You might also experience: Your body will try very hard to make more red blood cells.
Do people with thalassemia need blood transfusions?
People with thalassemia minor or trait usually do not need blood transfusions because they either do not have anemia or have only a mild anemia.
What is the treatment for thalassemia?
Standard treatments for patients with thalassemia major are blood transfusions and iron chelation. Blood transfusion involves injection of red blood cells through a vein to restore normal levels of healthy red blood cells and hemoglobin.
Why do people with thalassemia have infections?
People who have thalassemias may suffer severe infections. One reason may be the large number of blood transfusions these patients need; the infections may be carried in the blood that they receive in a transfusion.
Why do we need iron chelation?
Iron chelation is removal of excess iron from the body. A danger with blood transfusions is that they can cause iron overload, which may in turn causedamage to other organs.
What are the symptoms of beta thalassemia?
Symptoms of beta thalassemia include growth problems, bone abnormalities such as osteoporosis, and an enlarged spleen (the organ in the abdomen that plays a part in fighting infection). People with thalassemia can get too much iron in their bodies (iron overload), either from frequent blood transfusions or from the disease itself.
Can thalassemia be prevented?
Currently, thalassemia cannot be prevented because it is an inherited (passed down from parents to the child) blood disorder. It is possible to identify carriers of this disorder with genetic testing.
Does thalassemia cause fewer blood cells?
People who have thalassemia produce fewer healthy hemoglobin proteins, and their bone marrow produces fewer healthy red blood cells.
What is the treatment for thalassemia?
These treatments include blood transfusions, iron chelation (ke-LAY-shun) therapy, and folic acid supplements. Other treatments have been developed or are being tested, but they're used much less often.
Can deferasirox cause nausea?
This therapy takes time and can be mildly painful. Side effects include problems with vision and hearing. Deferasirox is a pill taken once daily. Side effects include headache, nausea (feeling sick to the stomach), vomiting, diarrhea, joint pain, and tiredness.
Can stem cells cure thalassemia?
Stem cells are the cells inside bone marrow that make red blood cells and other types of blood cells. A stem cell transplant is the only treatment that can cure thalassemia. But only a small number of people who have severe thalassemias are able to find a good donor match and have the risky procedure. For more information, go to the Health Topics ...
Can thalassemia be treated?
Treatments for thalassemias depend on the type and severity of the disorder. People who are carriers or who have alpha or beta thalassemia trait have mild or no symptoms. They’ll likely need little or no treatment.
Is blood transfusion good for you?
These transfusions will help you maintain normal hemoglobin and red blood cell levels. Blood transfusions allow you to feel better, enjoy normal activities, and live into adulthood. This treatment is lifesaving, but it's expensive and carries a risk of transmitting infections and viruses (for example, hepatitis).
How do you know if you have thalassemia?
Some of the most common ones include: bone deformities, especially in the face. dark urine. delayed growth and development. excessive tiredness and fatigue. yellow or pale skin. Not everyone has visible symptoms of thalassemia.
What test is done to determine if you have thalassemia?
The lab technician may also perform a test known as hemoglobin electrophoresis. This test separates out the different molecules in the red blood cells, allowing them to identify the abnormal type. Depending on the type and severity of the thalassemia, a physical examination might also help your doctor make a diagnosis.
How many types of thalassemia are there?
There are three main types of thalassemia (and four subtypes): beta thalassemia, which includes the subtypes major and intermedia. alpha thalassemia, which include the subtypes hemoglobin H and hydrops fetalis. thalassemia minor. All of these types and subtypes vary in symptoms and severity. The onset may also vary slightly.
Why does thalassemia intermedia develop?
Thalassemia intermedia is a less severe form. It develops because of alterations in both beta globin genes. People with thalassemia intermedia don’t need blood transfusions.
What is thalassemia in blood?
What is thalassemia? Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder in which the body makes an abnormal form of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the protein molecule in red blood cells that carries oxygen. The disorder results in excessive destruction of red blood cells, which leads to anemia.
What causes thalassemia?
Causes of thalassemia. Thalassemia occurs when there’ s an abnormality or mutation in one of the genes involved in hemoglobin production. You inherit this genetic abnormality from your parents. If only one of your parents is a carrier for thalassemia, you may develop a form of the disease known as thalassemia minor.
How old do you have to be to die from beta thalassemia?
According to some estimates, people with beta thalassemia — the most severe form — typically die by age 30 . The shortened life span has to do with iron overload, which can eventually affect your organs.
What Is Thalassemia?
Thalassemia is an inherited blood condition. If you have it, your body has fewer red blood cells and less hemoglobin than it should. Hemoglobin is important because it lets your red blood cells carry oxygen to all parts of your body. Because of this, people with this condition may have anemia, which makes you feel tired.
What to do if you have thalassemia and want to have kids?
If you have it and you want to have children, you might want to talk with a genetics counselor. This is an expert in health issues that are passed down through families. The counselor will explain your chance of having a child with thalassemia.
What are the two types of thalassemia?
The two types are alpha thalassemia and beta thalassemia. The terms alpha and beta refer to the part of the hemoglobin the person is lacking. There are also terms for how serious the thalassemia is. A person with a trait or minor form may not have symptoms or only mild ones. They may not need treatment.
What happens if you have two alpha thalassemia?
If you have more abnormal copies, you’ll have more serious alpha thalassemia. Babies with four abnormal copies of the alpha gene are often stillborn , or don’t survive long after birth.
How often do you need a blood transfusion?
How often you need transfusions can vary. Some people have one every few weeks. Your transfusion schedule may change as you get older. Chelation therapy. Blood transfusions are important for people with thalassemia.
When do you see a doctor for thalassemia?
They will examine you and will ask questions. Children with moderate to severe thalassemia usually have signs by age 2.
Is thalassemia a blood disorder?
Thalassemia is really a group of blood problems, not just one.
How do I know if I have thalassemia?
People with moderate and severe forms of thalassemia usually find out about their condition in childhood, since they have symptoms of severe anemia early in life. People with less severe forms of thalassemia may only find out because they are having symptoms of anemia, or maybe because a doctor finds anemia on a routine blood test or a test done for another reason.
What are the two types of thalassemia?
When we talk about different “types” of thalassemia, we might be talking about one of two things: the specific part of hemoglobin that is affected (usually either “alpha” or “beta”), or the severity of thalassemia, which is noted by words like trait, carrier, intermedia, or major. Hemoglobin, which carries oxygen to all cells in the body, ...
How are thalassemia traits passed down?
In the same way that traits for hair color and body structure are passed down from parents to children, thalassemia traits are passed from parents to children. The type of thalassemia that a person has depends on how many and what type of traits for thalassemia a person has inherited, or received from their parents.
Where is thalassemia most common?
Traits for thalassemia are more common in people from Mediterranean countries, like Greece and Turkey, and in people from Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
Can thalassemia be passed to children?
Because thalassemia is passed from parents to children, it is very hard to prevent. However, if you or your partner knows of family members with thalassemia, or if you both have family members from places in the world where thalassemia is common, you can speak to a genetic counselor (go to: https://www.nsgc.org/page/find-a-genetic-counselor. ...
When does anemia become apparent?
Clinically, variably severe anemia becomes apparent in the first year accompanied by occasionally massive expansion of erythropoiesis. The most anemic patients require regular red blood cell transfusions to avoid death from cardiac failure.
Is beta thalassemia a heterozygote?
In addition to the severe beta thalassemias, hematologists have begun to recognize the more severe forms of alpha thalassemia, namely hemoglobin (Hb) H disease and Hb H/Hb Constant Spring, as well as the beta compound heterozygote, beta thalassemia/HbE.
Can bone marrow transplants cure alpha thalassemia?
A major discovery was that allogeneic bone marrow (stem cell) transplantation in severely affected subjects with both alpha and beta thalassemia could result in cure. Current work deals with specific complications, such as iron overload and endocrine, cardiopulmonary, thrombophilic, and osteopenic problems.
Why do some patients need to be transfused with red blood cells?
Some patients are transfused with irradiated red cells. This process is used to prevent graft-versus-host disease. It is largely unnecessary unless the patient is undergoing a bone marrow transplant or has an underlying immunodeficiency. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is transmitted via transfusion. Leukocyte depletion of a red cell unit prevents its transmission. CMV negative units are usually unnecessary once the unit is leukocyte-depleted.
What is the purpose of chronic transfusions?
Chronic transfusions prevent most of the serious growth, skeletal, and neurological complications of thalassemia major. However, once started, the transfusion-related complications become a major source of morbidity. Standards must be developed and maintained to ensure a safe and rational approach to the use of blood transfusions in ...
Why do people need blood transfusions?
The purpose of transfusion is twofold: to improve the anemia and to suppress the ineffective erythropoiesis. Chronic transfusions prevent most of the serious growth, skeletal, and neurological complications of thalassemia major. However, once started, the transfusion-related complications become a major source of morbidity. Standards must be developed and maintained to ensure a safe and rational approach to the use of blood transfusions in the management of these rare disorders.
What is the normal hemoglobin level for a patient with skeletal changes?
Patients with a hemoglobin level less than 7 g/dL may sometimes require regular transfusions in the presence of growth impairment, marked skeletal changes, or extramedullary hematopoiesis. Baseline laboratory tests prior to regular transfusions.
How long does it take to get blood transfusions stopped?
It may be necessary to initiate a six-month trial of blood transfusions in patients of families whose decision to transfuse is uncertain. After six months , transfusions can be stopped and the patient observed for a brief period of time to give the family and medical team information as to the clinical benefits and psychological impact of the transfusions.
Where should transfusions be administered?
Transfusions should be administered in a designated outpatient clinical area by staff experienced with transfusion policies. Written transfusion policies—including maximum rate, volume of transfusion, and protocol for transfusion reactions—are required.
Is chronic transfusion based on anemia?
The decision to institute chronic transfusion should not be based exclusively on the presence of anemia. The decision to initiate chronic transfusion therapy requires significant input from the patient, family, and medical team. Anemia alone is not an indication of the need for chronic transfusion.