I had posted my first time under Thal Minor, but just noticed that here is where I should introduce myself. My name is Andrea, and have known about my Thal since I was a kid. I am now 39. My mother always referred to Thal as "Mediterranean Anemia". I do not know whether I am Beta or Alpha, but am assuming Beta. Over the years, I've ran into doctors who knew little about thal minor except that there are no symptoms in their eyes, but I know first hand there are symptoms, and have been confused with low iron so many times until I mentioned thal minor, and then it was dismissed. Have been experiencing extreme fatigue over a 4 year period, been to the doctor several times, had blood work, etc. but was always told I was fine and sent home. Recently, I had made an appt. for the hematologist, who I saw on Friday. Apparently, my iron levels were low on my blood work from 2011, and he thinks I may be deficient. I was confused because I was told not to take iron, but he stated i can still be iron deficient. I am now just waiting on my blood work to come back.
I am happy to have found this site where there are others experiencing the same symptoms as I am, and knowing these symptoms do exist, and I'm not imagining it.
I look forward to meeting everyone soon!!
![:smiley](http://www.thalassemiapatientsandfriends.com/Smileys/classic/original.gif)