Red blood cells are vital for taking oxygen from the lungs and carrying it to other areas of the body. Red blood cells also help eliminate harmful substances by transporting them to the lungs, where they’re expelled when a person breathes out. Thalassemia affects the function of red blood cells, but certain treatments can help manage symptoms.
A type of hereditary blood disorder, thalassemia decreases haemoglobin. Because haemoglobin plays an integral role in how red blood cells transport oxygen, people with the condition can experience a range of health effects, including:
Symptoms of thalassemia can present immediately after a child is born or appear at some point before the child’s second birthday.
Thalassemia is most often treated by:
As for medications, iron chelation therapy involves taking a medication that helps eliminate excess levels of iron in the blood. Iron chelation usually accompanies blood transfusions, as repeated transfusions naturally increase the volume of iron in the blood.
Doctors may also recommend that patients with thalassemia take supplemental folic acid, which is a synthetic form of vitamin B-9. Folic acid helps the body develop healthy red blood cells to offset the effects of the condition. However, folic acid must be taken alongside other therapies to properly manage thalassemia and to avoid more serious effects.