What are the side effects of thalassemia trait?
Thalassemia signs and symptoms can include:
- Fatigue.
- Weakness.
- Pale or yellowish skin.
- Facial bone deformities.
- Slow growth.
- Abdominal swelling.
- Dark urine.
Why is RBC high in thalassemia?
The diagnosis often is one of exclusion of other causes of microcytic anemia. In beta-thalassemia major, anemia is severe, often with hemoglobin ≤ 6 g/dL (≤ 60 g/L). Red blood cell count is elevated relative to hemoglobin because the cells are very microcytic.
Does thalassemia minor affect blood pressure?
Beta-thalassemia trait (BTT) is a common genetic disorder in Mediterranean countries including Iran. Previous studies have shown the protective effect of BTT on myocardial infarction that may be due to lower cholesterol levels or lower arterial blood pressure in BTT subjects.
Can a person with sickle cell trait have a crisis?
Unlike sickle cell disease, sickle cell trait patients do not have crises. They are for the most part asymptomatic. Their presentation is similar to patients with normal hemoglobin. They could have a family history positive for HbSS.
What finding on hemoglobin electrophoresis is consistent with beta thalassemia trait?
The hemoglobin electrophoresis with beta thalassemia trait usually has reduced or absent HbA, elevated levels of HbA2, and increased HbF.
How common is thalassemia trait?
In fact, only 1.7% of the global population has signs as a result of the gene mutations, which is known as a thalassemia trait. However, particular ethnic groups are more likely to be affected, with between 5% and 30% of these populations experiencing symptoms of thalassemia.
What is thalassemia trait?
People who have thalassemia trait (also called thalassemia minor) carry the genetic trait for thalassemia but do not usually experience any health problems except perhaps a mild anemia. A person may have either alpha thalassemia trait or beta thalassemia trait, depending upon which form of beta protein is lacking.
How is thalassemia trait diagnosed?
Doctors diagnose thalassemias using blood tests, including a complete blood count (CBC) and special hemoglobin tests. A CBC measures the amount of hemoglobin and the different kinds of blood cells, such as red blood cells, in a sample of blood.
Can thalassemia cause high BP?
Pulmonary hypertension in β-thalassemia major correlates with the severity of hemolysis, yet in patients whose disease is well treated with chronic transfusion therapy, the development of pulmonary hypertension can be related to cardiac dysfunction and the subsequent toxic effects of iron overload rather than hemolysis …
Can thalassemia affect your heart?
Heart Problems In severe beta thalassemia, both anemia and iron overload can damage the heart and cause problems like: Fast heartbeat. Abnormal heartbeat called arrhythmia. Congestive heart failure, when the heart can’t pump enough blood.
What blood type is sickle cell trait?
Examples: If one parent has sickle cell anemia (SS) and the other parent has normal (AA) blood, all of the children will have sickle cell trait.
What are sickle cell disease and thalassemia?
Sickle cell disease and thalassemia are genetic disorders caused by errors in the genes for hemoglobin, a substance composed of a protein (“globin”) plus an iron molecule (“heme”) that is responsible for carrying oxygen within the red blood cell. These disorders can cause fatigue, jaundice, and episodes of pain ranging from mild to very severe.
What are the complications of thalassemia?
To compensate for the loss, the body tries to make red blood cells more rapidly, causing other thalassemia complications, such as bone abnormalities and spleen enlargement. In the 1960s, doctors treating thalassemia patients started to transfuse them with fresh red blood cells every month.
What are the signs and symptoms of sickle cell anemia?
However, patients with sickle cell trait could have the same presentation as sickle cell anemia if they are exposed to conditions that favor sickling. Conditions include severe hypoxia, dehydration, increase in sympathetic outflow, hypothermia/hyperthermia, high 2,3-DPG levels and release of inflammatory cells.
How does iron overload affect thalassemia?
Hear Robert Mannino discuss how iron overload affects the body and why it is important to stay on track with thalassemia treatments. Since your body has fewer red blood cells when you have thalassemia, you may have symptoms of a low blood count, or anemia. When you have anemia, you might feel tired or weak.