Can Thalassaemia Minor Change to Thalassaemia Major
Can Thalassaemia Minor Change to Thalassaemia Major
I
was told by a doctor that I have Thalassaemia Minor, and that taking
iron tablets would not help. Can it lead to Thalassaemia Major ?
What can I do ?
Thalassaemia is an inherited disease
affecting the red blood cells of the body. This results from a
defect in the synthesis of the haemoglobin, thus making some of the
red blood cells abnormally thin, and fragile. These red blood cells
are hence easily broken down, causing the disease Thalassaemia.
The severity of Thalassaemia is
determined by the mode of genetic inheritance. In the mild form of
the disease, the person inherits a smaller amount of the defective
genes (heterozygote), resulting in the lesser production of these
defective red blood cells. This is the case for Thalassaemia Minor
individuals. In the severe form of the disease, the person inherits
genes which only produces these abnormal cells, and thus most of the
red blood cells would be affected, and become easily broken down.
The mode of this kind of inheritance is called 'autosomal
recessive'. Hence, if you are a Thalassaemia minor patient you will
remain as such, and will not become a Thalassaemia major patient.
The taking of iron tablets will not
help you as the disease is not due to a lack of iron in the body.
However, you should also realize that being affected by Thalassaemia
minor does not make you excessively sick. You may occasionally
experience anemia especially if there is a precipating cause for the
loss of blood such as piles, excessive menstrual discharges or
bleeding peptic ulcer disease. Otherwise, you should remain healthy,
and be able to lead a normal lifestyle with a normal lifespan.
