What to eat for anemia in thalassemia

Written by Li Fang Fang
Hematology
Updated on September 07, 2024
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Thalassemia belongs to genetic diseases, hereditary diseases. The cause of the disease is due to genetic and chromosomal abnormalities that lead to congenital defects in the quantity or quality of globin production, resulting in thalassemia. Therefore, no matter what thalassemia patients eat, it cannot help in blood replenishment. For thalassemia patients with severe anemia symptoms, the primary treatment method is red blood cell transfusion support therapy, and oral medications are ineffective. It is important to note that thalassemia patients who undergo repeated red blood cell transfusions need chelation therapy.

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Written by He Li Fang
Hematology
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Is Mediterranean anemia leukemia?

Thalassemia, formerly known as Mediterranean anemia or oceanic anemia, is a hereditary hemolytic anemia caused by mutations or deletions in globin genes, leading to insufficient synthesis of globin peptide chains. Those who lack beta chains are referred to as having beta-thalassemia, and those who lack alpha chains are known as having alpha-thalassemia. Clinically, it is classified into mild, intermediate, and severe forms based on the severity of anemia. The disease is widespread in many regions of the world, including the Mediterranean, the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia, and southern China. In China, it is more commonly found in Guangxi, Guangdong, Sichuan, Hong Kong, northern Taiwan, Yunnan, Guizhou, Hainan, Fujian, Hunan, and Hubei, and less commonly in the north. Thalassemia is fundamentally defined not as leukemia, but as a genetic disease.

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Written by Li Fang Fang
Hematology
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What are the harms of thalassemia?

The harm caused by thalassemia mainly comes from two aspects: one is the damage caused by anemia itself; the other aspect is that thalassemia is a hereditary disease, which can pass the pathogenic genes to the next generation. The damage from anemia can affect the nervous system, manifesting as dizziness, headache, brain fog, and tinnitus; in severe cases, it can lead to acute cerebral infarction. The cardiovascular system can be affected by reduced exercise tolerance, chest tightness and shortness of breath after activity, palpitations, and inability to lie flat at night; in severe cases, it can even cause acute myocardial infarction. The inheritance of thalassemia to the next generation depends on how many pathogenic genes are passed from both parents. The more pathogenic genes inherited, the more severe the thalassemia. Severe cases of thalassemia often result in death shortly after birth.

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Written by Li Fang Fang
Hematology
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What to eat for anemia in thalassemia

Thalassemia belongs to genetic diseases, hereditary diseases. The cause of the disease is due to genetic and chromosomal abnormalities that lead to congenital defects in the quantity or quality of globin production, resulting in thalassemia. Therefore, no matter what thalassemia patients eat, it cannot help in blood replenishment. For thalassemia patients with severe anemia symptoms, the primary treatment method is red blood cell transfusion support therapy, and oral medications are ineffective. It is important to note that thalassemia patients who undergo repeated red blood cell transfusions need chelation therapy.

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Written by Li Fang Fang
Hematology
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Dietary Considerations for Thalassemia

Thalassemia, also known as hemoglobin synthesis disorder anemia, is a genetic disease that falls under the category of genetic disorders. It is caused by abnormalities in the genes related to globin, leading to a deficiency in globin quantity, which in turn causes thalassemia. Since thalassemia is a genetic disorder, there are no specific dietary considerations. The severity of thalassemia is also defined by the number of affected genes; the fewer the affected genes, the milder the condition.

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Written by Li Fang Fang
Hematology
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The difference between iron deficiency anemia and thalassemia

Iron deficiency anemia and thalassemia have similarities in that both are classified as microcytic hypochromic anemia. However, iron deficiency anemia and thalassemia are two distinct diseases that require further differential diagnosis. Iron deficiency anemia is caused by iron deficiency, often due to chronic blood loss, and it can be cured if the cause is removed and iron supplementation treatment is provided. Thalassemia is a genetic disease with hereditary factors, and there is no particularly effective treatment; iron supplementation is ineffective. Treatment mainly involves red blood cell transfusions and is not curable.