How can we treat Thalassemia?

Thalassemia can be treated with regular blood transfusions which mean that the patient can have a normal growth and be active, but the blood transfusions can lead to fatale accumulation of iron in the heart and liver in their adolescent's life. Overflow of iron must be treated as soon as possible from the patient or they can suffer from a premature death due to iron overload.

Today they have developed a drug to remove excess iron, which has changed the prognosis for thalassemia major. Patient can now grow and develop as a normal person; with a relatively normal heart and liver functions because of this they can now live up to their forty' s and have children of their own.

Because of the improved prognosis many of the patients can find the 10 hours long infusions difficult and / or painful, and won't follow the doctor's orders because of the treatment. These patients are not free from risk, and have a very big chance to die at a very young age.

The blood transfusions treatment allows the patient to live a normal life, but there's still not a cure for Thalassemia.

Are you a carrier of thalassemia?

People who are from the areas where you will find the normal type of thalassemia carries the gen on one chromosome; this means that they have thalassemia minor. To be tested for thalassemia or see if you carry the gene you must undergo a special test called hemoglobin electrophoresis to identify whether you are a carrier of thalassemia.

If you have a parent, grandparents or ancestors who are from areas where thalassemia is normal you and your siblings can request a check on Hemoglobin electrophoresis blood test from your doctor. It' s quite important that you check whether you or someone in your family is a carrier of thalassemia minor. One who has thalassemia minor has a 25 % that's 1 in 4 chances to getting kid with thalassemia

How can we prevent thalassemia?

What we can do to prevent thalassemia is that we can share information witch other sites, explain it to family, friends and acquaintances who are from areas where thalassemia affects people. Get those who come from areas that thalassemia is normal to check if they carry the gen.