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Will an iron infusion help with Thalassemia Anemia?

Posted by berbatti @berbatti, Mar 23, 2022

I have bad thalasemia and my doctor wants to do an iron infusion. Will it help?

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rosy54 | @rosy54 | Mar 21, 2023

I have Thalassemia anemia. I worked in a medical laboratory. One day I had my blood looked at under microscope. I noticed my red cells were really small in size and paler to normal red cells.
I looked up a cause for it and found Thalassemia Anemia. It’s an hereditary anemia found in people of Mediterranean accents. Being Italian, I dug deeper and found taking Iron supplements (via mouth or IV) may cause an Iron Overload (within red cells) that’s detrimental. Coming from an Italian family I was able to alert my relatives and get screened for it. Hope this alerts others of Mediterranean to get screened for this type of anemia. ❤️

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Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Apr 2, 2023

@rosy54, thank you for this information about the prevalence of thalassemia anemia in those of Mediterranean descent. How is your anemia being treated or controlled?

@sylvz, how are you doing? Are you getting iron infusions?

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rosy54 | @rosy54 | Apr 2, 2023
In reply to @colleenyoung "@rosy54, thank you for this information about the prevalence of thalassemia anemia in those of Mediterranean..." + (show)
Profile picture for Colleen Young, Connect Director @colleenyoung

@rosy54, thank you for this information about the prevalence of thalassemia anemia in those of Mediterranean descent. How is your anemia being treated or controlled?

@sylvz, how are you doing? Are you getting iron infusions?

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Really not much off anything I just make sure I never get Fe injections esp IVs Yearly check ups for my hgb n hct

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rosy54 | @rosy54 | Apr 2, 2023
In reply to @berbatti "Hello; Thanks for your response. I did see the info on the web site, but it..." + (show)
Profile picture for berbatti @berbatti

Hello; Thanks for your response. I did see the info on the web site, but it does not answer my question. I'd like to know if anyone else has ever had an iron infusion.
Yes, I have had a couple of blood transfusions in the past few years. More recently my hemoglobin levers are down below 8.
Thanks again

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Blood transfusions is alternative to raising your iron levels.
Fe (Iron injections) stay stored in cells it DOESNT get released into blood stream. Your doctor should help you.

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mikeneverwired | @mikeneverwired | Jan 21, 2024

I have been diagnosed with beta-thalassemia minor for decades now and my blood work always shows me as mildly anemic. I now have been diagnosed with a severe aortic aneurysm which requires open surgery to repair. My doc wants to put me on Retacrit plus an infusion of Venofer to boost my RBC before surgery. I am a little worried this will not be effective given my thalassemia. Does anyone have any words of wisdom on this matter?

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