Thalassemia (Cooley's Anemia / Mediterranean Anemia): Frequently Asked Questions
What is Thalassemia?
Thalassemia encompasses a varied group of inherited blood disorders, some are relatively mild and others may cause severe anemia and other serious problems. High-risk groups include people of Southeast Asian, Chinese, East Indian ancestry as well as anyone with a family history of the disease or a family member who is a known carrier. People who have the thalassemia trait may have a mild form of anemia. ...
Source: www.baiboo.com.my
Thalassemia is the name of a group of genetic blood disorders.
Source: thalassaemiastep.org
What are the symptoms of thalassemia?
Depending on the type and severity of thalassemia, symptoms can range from a debilitating and life-threatening anemia to no obvious symptoms whatsoever.
Source: thalassaemiastep.org
What is the treatment for thalassemia?
Again, this depends on the form of thalassemia you have. If you have thalassemia minor and are simply a trait carrier, you will have no symptoms and no treatment is necessary. People with thalassemia intermedia may require red blood cell transfusions at varying levels of frequency, depending on the severity of their anemia. People with thalassemia major must receive red blood cell transfusions every two to three weeks.
Source: thalassaemiastep.org
Is thalassemia the same as being "anemic"?
Most people diagnosed as "anemic" have iron-deficiency anemia and are often treated with iron supplements and seldom if ever require blood transfusions. The kind of anemia caused by thalassemia is more serious and is the result of an imbalance in the patient’s hemoglobin that makes it incapable of carrying sufficient oxygen throughout the body. It cannot be treated with iron supplements.
Source: thalassaemiastep.org
What other treatments do thalassemia patients require?
Thalassemia patients who receive frequent blood transfusions develop a condition called "iron overload" in which iron from the transfused red blood cells builds up in the tissues and organs and can cause organ damage and early death if left untreated. To help remove excess iron, thalassemia patients undergo a drug treatment called "chelation therapy".
Source: thalassaemiastep.org
How does thalassemia affect the human body?
Thalassemia results in an imbalance in the production of hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying component of blood.
Source: thalassaemiastep.org
Thalassemia minor and the tonic?
This is an illness where the body cannot utilize iron to make haemoglobin, so Floradix is contra-indicated.
Source: www.basichealth369.com
When does a pregnant woman undertake thalassemia blood test?
1. Thalassemia is a recessive inherited disease, and it is important to know whether both wife and husband carry the same type of allele. 2. A complete screening system has become available in Taiwan for pregnant women. After your pregnancy is confirmed, at your first prenatal health check, you will be tested for mean corpuscular volume (MCV). 3. Do not forget to ask your gynecologist-obstetricians whether they have done thalassemia test for you and the results, and whether an amniotic test is required.
Source: www.bhp.doh.gov.tw
How often must thalassemia patients receive blood transfusions?
Once again, this depends on medical factors such as the patient’s hemoglobin level. For thalassemia major patients in the United States, transfusions of one to two units every two to three weeks are the norm. Thalassemia intermedia patients often require less frequent transfusions.
Source: thalassaemiastep.org
Should a person with thalassemia trait avoid iron, such as iron-fortified vitamins or Sprinkles?
Thalassemia and iron metabolism are closely linked. Iron deficiency and mild forms of thalassemia (e.g., thalassemia trait) are often confused. Both are associated with mild to moderate anemia and microcytosis (small red cells). At the other end of the spectrum, severe forms of thalassemia frequently produce iron overload. Excess iron accumulates due to a combination of enhanced iron absorption, repeated blood transfusions or both. ...
Source: www.sghi.org
At what age do thalassemia patients need to start blood transfusions?
This depends on a number of factors weighed by the patient’s physician and family, including the patient’s hemoglobin level, physical growth, bone change, and relative age and spleen size. Generally speaking, most thalassemia major patients will begin regular blood transfusions before their second birthday. There are cases in which thalassemia major patients have started blood transfusions as early as six months. [top] How often must thalassemia patients receive blood transfusions? ...
Source: thalassaemiastep.org
So this means that European authorities believe deferiprone to be safe and effective in the treatment of iron overload in thalassemia?
Not necessarily. In Europe, Apotex obtained licensing of deferiprone under what is called "exceptional circumstances". This means that, to be able to sell deferiprone, Apotex testified that it was "unable to provide comprehensive data on the quality, efficacy and safety [of deferiprone] under normal conditions of use. "
Source: www.hemoglobal.org
