Thal Minor and hemochromotosis carrier ???

I have known since I was pregnant with my oldest that I had beta thal minor, when I had to have a transfusion the hemotologist said I was considered intermedite now? Not sure what that means. I was just told that I am a carrier for hemochromotosis? I am worried about what effects that will have on my body. Both my grandmother and greatgrandmother died of liver diseases and I am already showing signs of liver disease at 30. All the doctors tell me that I should have no symptoms from either which I know is a load of crap with the beta thal. I have FMS and CFIDS. I have just started researching Candida yeast overgrowth and plan to have doctors test for that as I score extremely high on the scale. I am just wondering if hemochromotosis carriers have any side effects from it?

Hi mommabull,

One transfusion does not make you an intermedia. It is not unusual for minors to need a transfusion or two during pregnancy. This does not change their status. If you have any blood count results, I can look at them and tell you what your status is.

People who are hemochromatosis carriers should not have symptoms. Excess iron absorption occurs in those who carry two genes for  hemochromatosis, but this is not observed in carriers. To verify that you are only a carrier, you could have an iron panel done. This is a group of several tests, including serum iron, serum ferritin and total iron binding capacity, TIBC. This will tell you if your iron levels are too high. Because there is a history of liver disease in your family, I think it would be wise to make sure you are not iron loading. If by some chance you are, then measures can be taken to remove iron from your body, which would reduce the effects of iron.

I did not bring my blodwork results home with me. My hemotologist said that my iron load was not real high and was convinced I did not have hemochromotosis and was shocked that I was a carrier. I want to say he said my iron was 160 but not sure what that means. My blood usually stays around 9-11 so its ok. What would cause the liver problems if hemochromotosis is not it? I have yet to hear back from the GI my doctor called to set up an appointment so hopefully I will find out more soon 

Labs:
Red Blood cell count 5.57 Range- 3.80-5.10
> > > MCV 65.0 range- 80-100
> > > MCH 21 range- 27-33
> > > RDW 17.2 range- 11-15
> > > Hemoglobin A 94 range- >96
> > > Hemoglobin A2 5.0 range- 1.8-3.5
> > > Glucose 113 range- 65-99
> > > AST 39 range- 10-30
> > > ALT 48 range- 6-40
> > > Reticulocyte, Absolute 94520 range- 20000-80000
> > > Ferritin 189 range- 10-154
> > > Vitamin B12 1357 range- 200-1100
> > > Bilirubin, Direct .3 range- <or=.2
> > > Parvovirus AB B19 IGG 4.0 range- <0.9
> > > Epstein Barr Virus VCA AB (IGG) 1.69 range- <or=0.90
> > > Epstein Barr Virus (EBNA) AB (IGG) 4.76 range- <or=0.9
> > >
> > >
> > > now the "normal" results
> > >
> > > Hemoglobin 11.7 range- 11.7-15.5
> > > Hematocrit 36.2 range- 35-45
> > > Hemoglobin F < 1 range- <2
> > > Vitamin D, 25-OH, Total 56 range- 30-100
> > > Vitamin D, 25-OH, D3 56
> > > Vitamin D, 25-OH, D2 <4
> > > Vitamin D, 1,25(OH)2, Total 31 range- 18-72
> > > Vitamin D3, 1,25(OH)2 56
> > > Vitamin D2, 1,25(OH)2 <8
> > > Urea Nitrogen (BUN) 10 range 7-25
> > > Creatine 0.82 range- 0.5-1.10
> > > eGFR non-afr. american 96 range- >or=60
> > > eGFR african american 111 range >or=60
> > > Sodium 141 range- 135-146
> > > Potassium 3.9 range- 3.5-5.3
> > > Chloride 106 range- 98-110
> > > Carbon Dioxide 24 range- 21-33
> > > Calcium 8.7 range- 8.6 10.2
> > > Protien, total 6.4 range- 6.2-8.3
> > > Albumin 4.2 range- 3.6-5.1
> > > Globulin 2.2 range- 2.2-3.9
> > > Albumin/Globulin ratio 1.9 range- 1.0-2.1
> > > Bilirubin total 0.5 range- 0.2-1.2
> > > Alkaline Phosphate 54 range- 33-115
> > > Bilirubin, Direct 0.1 range- <or=0.2
> > > TSH 1.56 range- 0.4-4.50
> > > Reticulocyte 1.7
> > > White blood cell count 6.7 range- 3.8-10.8
> > > MCHC 32.3 range- 32-36
> > > Platelet count 176 range- 140-400
> > > Absolute Neutrophlis 3404 range- 1500-7800
> > > Absolute Lymphocytes 2673 range- 850-3900
> > > Absolute Monocytes 362 range- 200-950
> > > Absolute Eosinophils 228 range- 15-500
> > > Absolute Basophils 34 range- 0-200
> > > Neutrophils 50.8
> > > Lymphocytes 39.9
> > > Monocytes 5.4
> > > Eosinophils 3.4
> > > Basophils 0.5
> > > Iron, Total 100 range- 40-175
> > > Folate, RBC 841 range- >280
> > >
> > >
> > > Do you suggest any test that I should have my doctor run. I have switched doctors and will be seeing my new one on Monday.

I think you've had everything tested. Looks pretty normal for a thal minor. And you do not have a high iron count so there appears to be nothing to concern yourself over the hemochromatosis gene. Transfusions during pregnancy are not uncommon in thal minors, and in no way change your status.

Thanks for looking it over lol.

If there was any question about whether or not you are intermedia thal, an Hb of over 11 definitely rules that out. Intermedias carry a normal Hb of 6-8 in most cases. Temporary drops in Hb will not change your status.

   








   

mommabull,
I am thalassemia minor and carrier for hemochromotosis and my son as well in addition he is major.
thalassemia intermedia is such a vague term if you understand the difference between digital and analogue then i will say intermidia is a analogous defination of the condition.
hemochromotosis is a mutation on HFE gene due to which body always acts as iron hungry although you may be actually iron overload and it leads into accumulation of iron in body.
but if you are career it doesn't affect aggressively and certainly it doesn't make you intermedia.