Thalassemia & Anemia

I'm very new to this - I'm being investigated for anemia.  I've been told I'm anemic, but my doctor has also said I have thalassemia minor - I'm of Arabic and Italian decent.  My problem is this - I'm going to see a specialist a gastroenterologist - he can't find anything wrong and has prescribed iron supplements.  I've tried this for two months and it made no difference to my iron.  I do feel very tired.  What am I to do?  Do I go to a heamatologist?  Do I eat more iron rich foods? 

Hi,

If you are thal minor, that would explain why iron does nothing for your anemia. Ask your doctor to do a blood serum ferritin test to determine if you are actually iron deficient. If you aren't, then you shouldn't be taking iron. I would also suggest you read through the posts on vitamin and mineral supplementation in thal at http://www.thalassemiapatientsandfriends.com/index.php?topic=118.0

Folic acid is a necessity for all forms of thal and you may find some improvement by following some of the other recommendations, including wheatgrass (the extract is by far the easiest way to use it).

Hi,

Andy you have said that somebody who has thal. minor and who is not iron deficient shouldnt be taking iron.
but what if somebody takes the serum ferritin blood test and it turns out they really are iron deficient.
should iron supplements then be given and will they do something?

would 'natural' foods iron be better?

what can be done against the anemia caused by thal. minor?

it would be great if somebody could answer this, thanks! anna

 

Hi Anna and welcome to our group,

If a blood serum ferritin test shows you are iron deficient, then you do need more iron, either by supplementation or through diet. Many people have intestinal discomfort if they take iron supplements so raising iron levels through diet becomes preferrable for them. If you eat meat, red meat is high in heme iron which is more readily absorbed than the non heme iron found in plant based foods. If you don't eat meat or want to restrict your intake, then it requires more attention to the diet. I have previoulsy posted about raising iron levels with a vegetarian diet at

http://www.thalassemiapatientsandfriends.com/index.php?topic=230.0

As far as what can be done for thal minor anemia, there is little if anything doctors will tell you that can help. However, a combination of diet, supplements and mild to moderate exercise can offer some help. Folic acid and vitamin E are essential. Wheatgrass has been shown to help in some cases. I prefer the extract from wheatgrassactive.com. We have had a discussion on supplementation at

http://www.thalassemiapatientsandfriends.com/index.php?topic=118.0

We have also had ongoing discussions about this issue in our minor forum and also some of the material under intermedia would also apply.

welcome to your new family and this site... am also thalassimia minor and also my wife and we have a child who he was thalass.major but we treat him by (PBSC) PREPHERAL BLOOD STEM CELLS in italy under care of Dr.paola polchi and Dr.javed gaziev...i don't know where is your location but if you are in italy  i sugest you go this hospital (TOR VERGATA HOSPITAL)and go to this hospital to check your self or go to real spicialist Dr in your country and make all check for your blood and also check your stomach absorb a bility and what kind of food you eat .. 
 
                            khalifa
                     state of kuwait

dear Andy and Khalifa,

thanks so much for your replies! very very helpful. i think this site is wonderful. I have Thal Minor but before it was diagnosed i was always considered iron deficient and was subscribed iron supplements from time to time which made me feel a bit sick. the supplements obviously didnt improve the following blood tests outcome hence i was sent to a specialist who eventually found out.  we then realised that my dad has it, and my grandmother (who had the same problems). i've just done a general routine blood check and my doctor still wasnt sure if to subscribe iron or not and now that i have discovered this site the stepping in the dark is over ;-) i will ask for the serum ferritin test and take it from there.
the information on this site is truly valuable. so thanks so much for sharing it. keep it going!!

Greetings from Germany, Anna