Help ease my worries please

Hi my name is rose and im 18 years old. My mother told me that when i was 7 i was diagnosed with thalassemia but the doctor said it was nothing to worrie about unless i got really sick then i would need a blood transfusion. we Have  no record of this visit so i have no idea what stage or level i have. i went to the hemotologist a few days ago and he red my blood results from my primary care physisian and noticed i had abnormally small red blood cells and he sent me for more blood tests. i am pretty sure its thalassemia becuase the doctor before said i had it. I am just really worried that it could be more than thal minor. But if it was would it have been caught before now? I get severely fatigue and usually sleep anywere from 10 to 14 hours, also i get very dizzy, light headed, nauseous through out the day. Is this common in thal minor? I also get severe nose bleeds that last for up to an hour although i don't know if that has anything to do with thalassemia. I just have so many questions and im driving myself crazy waiting for these blood results. please help guys!!!

Hello Rose,

to the site.

The test results may show a better picture of what's going on with you. Feeling tired and sleepy frequently is a sign of anemia. If you know that you are a Thal. from the old tests long ago then these symptoms could be because of Thal minor or Intermedia but NOT from Major since you aren't on regular transfusions from early childhood, so you can safely rule Thal. Major out.

Having nose bleeds that last for long time might indicate low Platelet level that can happen to Thals. if their spleen is malfunctioning. You must also get your Serum Ferritin checked to see if it is getting damaged by excess Iron being absorbed from diet.

Let us know what is the outcome of your tests. Till then;

Take care, Peace!

Hi Rose!  Welcome to the forum.   

All your symptoms are extremely common with Thalassemia.  And, as Sajid had mentioned, the good news is that you are definitely, without a doubt, NOT Thalassemia Major.  You would have needed treatment many years ago, and would not have made it this far without it.  You are most-likely a Thal Minor, which generally doesn't require treatment.  There are Minors that have more symptoms than others, that range in severity, but if you have gone 18 years without needing medical attention, it's not likely. Would you happen to know what your hemoglobin is?  That would classify you better.  If your hemoglobin was on the low side for a Minor, than the most you can be is Intermedia.

I found my paper qwork I have no Idea how to read it so i will just tell you whats out of range

MCV is at 75
MCH is at 24.8
RDW is at17.0

oh yeah and i see my hemoglobin its at13.2

Hi,

Your levels all indicate that you have thal trait but your hemoglobin level is high enough to rule out thal intermedia. As far as the nose bleeds, what Sajid said may be correct. Do you have any trouble stopping the bleeding when you have small cuts? If you do, then you may have low platelets.

Are you taking folic acid? All thals should take it daily. Make sure you are paying attention to your diet. Proper nutrition is essential. Avoid empty calorie foods, especially sugary things. Read as much as you can in the minor section of our boards. You will find many minors have similar problems and also that usually doctors believe that minors don't have any health problems. We need to change the way doctors think by educating them so please tell your doctor about all your symptoms.

Hi there!

I'm Courtenay, and I'm a Thal Minor with many of your symptoms, altho my Hb is much lower than yours.  I also have iron deficiency anemia...This paired with Thal and other genes makes me VERY tired as well! The nosebleeds are VERY common with a person with a dysfunctional spleen that is causing low platelets, or thrombcytopenia.  I had idiopathic thrombo purpura with my spleen...I call it idiotic spleen.  Needless to say, I had my spleen removed, because it had eaten so many of my platelets and RBC's it was 19 cms.

Your symptoms, I have to tell ya, are very common for Thal Minors.  Your high Hb would most likely rule out thal intermedia. 

I hope that you can find a good hematologist that can explain your test results in complete for you...It is really neccessary to find one that is knowledgable about Thalassemia...Some are more of a Oncologist....dealing with Leukemias and such...and some are just not well trained. Try to get your phlebotomies done when you are experiencing the fatigue and nosebleeds the most - it will give the clearest picture as to your bloods' "worst days".  My hemotologist tries to leave an appt time open for me for a couple days during the week.  If I'm feeling great, I don't go, because thats not how I feel most of the week! It gives an unrealistic picture.

Let us know!

Hello Rose,

Your HB (13.2) is enough to rule out Thal. Intermedia too. However, I'm still concerned about your nose bleeds. Do you happen to see any Platelet counts (PLT) on your test results?

If you do, please let us know at what level they are. Also ask your doctor to check for the enlargement of your spleen either by feeling it (docs. can feel enlarged ones) or prescribing a Serum Ferritin test.

Keep us updated on how you are doing and feel free to ask anything that you have in mind.

Take care, Peace!

It says my Platelet count is 429 which is in normal range too. I dont know if it is thal minor, I heard alot that there is no treatment so how do i feel better I'm sick and tired of being tired all the time. Do theyhavesomething for my amemia?

Hi Rose,

Well, your HB is low but not THAT low. And you said that your platelets are normal too. In this case you might be getting nose bleeds just from hypertension or some allergic/infection.

I think you just need a healthier lifestyle. Take plenty of fresh air and a healthy balanced diet. Most importantly of all; stay happy and enjoy a good time with friends and family and try not to worry too much about health (It's the doctors' headache to worry about that for you )

Take care, Peace!

well thanks for everything every one and when i get back from seeing the hemotologist next week i will tell you how it went
bye for now

Rose

RoseSayer,
    Hi, and welcome to the site. As far as your symptoms, you may have another, as yet undiagosed, medical condition that is causing you problems, combined with thal minor. See if your spleen is enlarged at all. Have you always had these symptoms or have they gotten worse just lately? Feel free to ask any questions that you have. Good luck, Jean