Dear Kim,
I would also recommend exploring your vitamin D levels. Depleted vitamin D levels can exasperate the effects of thalassemia. If you have had a chance to look through the diet and supplementation posts - you will will also have seen that several supplements can help with your anemia. These supplements may or may not actually increase your red blood cells, but they should help with the quality and efficiency of red blood cells that you do have. They may also increase the longevity of the erythrocytes - which is sometimes a problem in thalassemia. Many of the will also assist with the elasticity of the blood vessels - which will also be helpful to you. Although we cannot eliminate anemia in thalassemia minor, fortunately our bodies accommodate to some extent and with supplementation we can maximize the potential of the hemoglobin that we do have.
You may wish to look into wheat grass, folic acid, b complex vitamins, L-carnitine, vitamin e, vitamin d, resveratrol, IP6 and perhaps a multi which does not contain iron. Eating a balanced meal - each meal containing green vegetables, protein and a complex carb will be very helpful in maintaining energy levels and sense of well being. Making sure you eat every two or three hours to balance blood sugar will be helpful as well.
I hope that this post was helpful to you, please feel free to ask any questions that you may have,
Best,
Sharmin