Why don't they think of that?????????

Hi,


Having an oral chelator now is a gift from God for those who were on desferal for long time. Thanks to the scientists.

BUT, why do scientists never think of chelating iron from blood after taken from donors? Now they can seperate all blood components before being transfused, so why don't they pass the blood on any chemical  that can combine with the iron found in the RBCs and be seperated from the blood that will be transfused

Just a thought

Manal

Iron is found at the center of every hemoglobin molecule. If this was removed it would no longer be hemoglobin and would be of no value to the body, rendering the donated red blood cells useless. It isn't the iron in the hemoglobin that is removed by chelation. It is the free iron that is left in the body after the transfused blood has broken down, along with any excess iron absorbed from food by the gut, which is removed by chelators. This is the iron that causes the health problems. Since there is no natural way for your body to excrete excess iron, chelators are then used to remove this excess iron.

Thanks Andy for the clarification.

 It is the free iron that is left in the body after the transfused blood has broken down,

Could you please Andy tell me what is meant by ''broken down'' and why this happens??

Manal

Since transfused blood is not native to the recipient's body, it doesn't last anywhere near as long as blood made by one's own body. Antibodies attack the foreign blood and the spleen destroys the red blood cells. The donated blood breaks down or is destroyed quickly. This is why transfusions must be done so frequently, with many majors transfusing at least twice a month. The donated blood is only a temporary solution and must be repeated frequently, resulting in the accumulation of large amounts of iron from the transfused blood. This is why hemoglobin inducers are of so much interest. Stimulating the body to produce its own hemoglobin would be a far better solution than regularly using donated blood.

Manal,
     I always wondered why they couldn't take the iron out of the donated blood, just as you have said. Andy, thanks for the explanation. You always come through for us with good information. I continually learn things from this site and I am so glad it is here. Thanks everyone! Jean

Hi,

Note that the Red Blood Cells are living cells just like the different cells that make up our entire body. Our cells die off after some time and are replaced by new ones. The trouble with Thal. is that the new Red Blood cells that our body makes is of no use and the cells that get transfused have even more limited life in other persons body just like Andy said. When these cells die off they break up and freed Iron from the Hb on them gets settled in our organs which has to be removed by chelators as there is no natural mechanism in the body to remove it.

Take care, Peace!