Thalassemia refers to a group of inherited blood disorders. In these disorders, the blood cells don't form properly and cannot carry enough oxygen from the lungs to other parts of the body. There are many types of thalassemia, including alpha thalassemia and beta thalassemia. Depending on the type, thalassemia can happen to anyone but is mostly found in people whose ancestry is:
- African
- Mediterranean (such as people who are Italian or Greek)
- Middle Eastern
- Southeast Asian (such as people who are Cambodian, Vietnamese, or Thai)
Some people with thalassemia must receive blood transfusions every 2 to 4 weeks to help relieve their symptoms. Although the transfusions are necessary, they add excess iron to the body-iron that won't go away by itself.
If you have thalassemia and have had 10 or more transfusions during your lifetime, then you may be at risk for iron overload.
Here are some things you can do to help take control of your health and help protect yourself from iron overload:
- Learn about how iron overload affects your body
- Keep track of the number of transfusions you've had and know if you're at risk for iron overload. Remember, 10 or more transfusions put you at risk for iron overload
- Talk with your doctor about your risk for iron overload
- Get tested. Ask your doctor about a simple blood test called the serum ferritin test
- Know your iron levels. If your iron level continues to be over 1000 mcg/L (micrograms per liter), you have iron overload
If you think you're at risk, be sure to talk with your doctor about getting screened for iron overload.
