Is Thalassemia Life-Threatening?

     "Thalassemia" is a type of anemia caused by abnormal blood cells, leading to red blood cells with a short lifespan that are fragile, prone to breaking, and easily destroyed. It is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait, caused by gene abnormalities that control the production of hemoglobin, an essential substance in red blood cells.

Severity of Thalassemia

     Statistics show that approximately 24 million Thai people carry abnormal genes, or 40%. Individuals who have these abnormal genes without showing symptoms are called "carriers", most of whom do not know they are carriers. There are about 600,000 people with Thalassemia disease, or 1% of the population.

People with Thalassemia disease inherit abnormal genes from both parents

     On the other hand, Thalassemia carriers inherit abnormal genes from either the father or the mother. Carriers are generally as healthy as typical individuals (also known as having latent Thalassemia), but they can pass the abnormal genes on to their children.

What are the symptoms of Thalassemia?

Symptoms of Thalassemia patients vary widely depending on the specific type of Thalassemia they have, ranging from:

• No signs of anemia
• Mild anemia that does not affect daily life
• Severe anemia, featuring pale skin, jaundice (yellow skin and eyes), and enlargement of the liver and spleen
• Altered facial structures and abnormal growth and development
• Certain types of Thalassemia are so severe that they can lead to death in utero or shortly after birth due to severe anemia, hydrops fetalis (fluid buildup), and heart failure

Diagnosis of Thalassemia

• For asymptomatic individuals to determine whether they have Thalassemia, doctors need to take a medical history, perform a physical examination, and conduct a blood test evaluating complete blood count (CBC) along with specialized blood tests such as Hb typing and DNA analysis.
• Those identified as carriers can lead normal lives without needing medication. For those with Thalassemia disease, treatment depends on the type, symptoms, and severity. Patients require continuous long-term care and monitoring from a doctor for life. The only definitive cure is a bone marrow transplant.

Because Thalassemia patients accumulate higher amounts of iron in their bodies than normal, which can damage the heart (causing heart failure), damage the liver (causing cirrhosis), and damage the pancreas (leading to diabetes), testing for iron overload is essential.

How to take care of your health and stay strong when having Thalassemia?

• Eat a balanced diet with foods from all 5 food groups, focusing on vegetables, fruits, eggs, milk, or soy milk.
• Avoid foods high in iron, such as animal blood, liver, and organ meats.
• Engage in light exercise; do not drink alcohol or smoke.
• Avoid heavy labor or strenuous sports.
• Get regular dental checkups, as teeth decay more easily.
• Do not buy iron supplements or blood-nourishing vitamins on your own, as they may contain iron that poses risks to your body.

Can Thalassemia be prevented?

     Thalassemia can be prevented by screening for gene carriers before pregnancy. Couples planning to have children should get tested for hidden carrier traits to prepare properly before conceiving.

“Thalassemia” can be prevented by screening for carrier genes before pregnancy. Couples wishing to have children should check for hidden traits to ensure proper preparation before conceiving.