Health information

QUESTION: A close relative has recently been diagnosed with “Thalassemia”.
He is 29 years old and has never used illegal drugs and is a heterosexual.
Please tell me what you know about this disorder
Thank you very much.

ANSWER: Let me first put your mind at ease
Neither of the two life style
situations that you mention have anything to do with the causes of
thalassemia
The name of this blood disorder comes from the Greek word
“thalassa” meaning “sea” because the condition was first observed in people
who lived around the Mediterranean Sea, and is sometimes called “Mediterranean
Anemia”
Today, although common in Italians, Africans and individuals of
Southeast Asian ancestry, the disease has a worldwide distribution
As a
group, the thalassemias are chronic, inherited anemias that are due to errors
in the synthesis of hemoglobin which affects the production of red cells.
There are two main types, “thalassemia major” (sometimes called “Cooley’s
anemia”) and “thalassemia minor”
While the anemia may be severe in the
“major” form, life expectancy for those with the “minor” form is normal
In
severe types, there may be changes in bone structure, enlarged spleen, and
impaired growth pattern in children
Since the anemia is caused by the body’s
inability to manufacture enough normal red cells, the only treatment available
is transfusion, which in itself can provoke serious side effects and
complications
However, since the disorder may be inherited in a number of
ways, the severity of the disease may vary from one with few problems to one
that is most severe and life threatening
The manner in which thalassemias
are transmitted has received a great deal of study, and the ability for
genetic counselors to advise prospective parents with this trait has been
greatly enhanced
The fact that your relative has only been diagnosed at the
age of 29 may indicate that he has the less severe form of the anemia, but
only complete testing of his blood can tell
The fact that this is an
inherited disease may make this answer of more than passing interest to you if
you are a member of his family and a “blood” relative.

The material contained here is “FOR INFORMATION ONLY” and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician
Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.

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