Thalassemia??

Toolfan66

Anyone heard of this before? Doctor thinks this is what I have as my endoscopy and colonoscopy came back clean, weird thing is I have been getting a physical every year since I turned 40, and this has only been brought up the last three years, I just recently changed doctors, he had me do lab work, and called me about it today. So I’m back to revisiting it again.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/thalassemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20354995

BlueFox

I never heard of that. There must be a million medical conditions, and I'm surprised doctors can keep up with them. Good luck. Hope it is the mild form.

F1nut

New one on me Larry. Maybe it's just the fact you're getting old

Dabutcher

Good luck.

Joey_V

Thalassemia - problem with the o2 carrying protein WITHIN red blood cells.

This causes either less o2 carrying capacity within each cell and may cause issues with red cell lifespan which would then lead to anemia (low red cells).

It is inherited.

There are 2 parts, alpha and beta, an aspect of hemoglobin chains (o2 carrying protein). Abnormal chains can cause kinks - which can cause problems with production of red cells (erythropoeisis) and early death (hemolysis, anemia).

Typically it does not cause symptoms if trait (alpha trait, beta trait).
However, alpha major, beta minor, beta major cause issues. Typically the more major, the earlier it affects (from birth) which could cause poor growth, abnormal skeletal survey, and frequent transfusions.

As far as I know, there is no treatment as this is a genetic disorder.

But I surmise that as you get older and there are other reasons for anemia, then something that typically would not cause symptoms such as a minor thalassemia variant would begin to cause issues.

Willow

Joey_V wrote: »

Thalassemia - problem with the o2 carrying protein WITHIN red blood cells.

This causes either less o2 carrying capacity within each cell and may cause issues with red cell lifespan which would then lead to anemia (low red cells).

It is inherited.

There are 2 parts, alpha and beta, an aspect of hemoglobin chains (o2 carrying protein). Abnormal chains can cause kinks - which can cause problems with production of red cells (erythropoeisis) and early death (hemolysis, anemia).

Typically it does not cause symptoms if trait (alpha trait, beta trait).
However, alpha major, beta minor, beta major cause issues. Typically the more major, the earlier it affects (from birth) which could cause poor growth, abnormal skeletal survey, and frequent transfusions.

As far as I know, there is no treatment as this is a genetic disorder.

But I surmise that as you get older and there are other reasons for anemia, then something that typically would not cause symptoms such as a minor thalassemia variant would begin to cause issues.

PFFFT! what do you know!!!

Joey_V

Willow wrote: »

Joey_V wrote: »

Thalassemia - problem with the o2 carrying protein WITHIN red blood cells.

This causes either less o2 carrying capacity within each cell and may cause issues with red cell lifespan which would then lead to anemia (low red cells).

It is inherited.

There are 2 parts, alpha and beta, an aspect of hemoglobin chains (o2 carrying protein). Abnormal chains can cause kinks - which can cause problems with production of red cells (erythropoeisis) and early death (hemolysis, anemia).

Typically it does not cause symptoms if trait (alpha trait, beta trait).
However, alpha major, beta minor, beta major cause issues. Typically the more major, the earlier it affects (from birth) which could cause poor growth, abnormal skeletal survey, and frequent transfusions.

As far as I know, there is no treatment as this is a genetic disorder.

But I surmise that as you get older and there are other reasons for anemia, then something that typically would not cause symptoms such as a minor thalassemia variant would begin to cause issues.

PFFFT! what do you know!!!

I know... nothing!!

xschop

If you've cut back on red meat, then your metalloprotein hemoglobin may be the culprit. A good multivitamin with Ester C along with iron is good insurance.

Willow

@Joey_V
Glad to see you're still posting and all this covid stuff hasn't burnt you out yet and that you and your family are staying healthy and well.

Joey_V

Willow wrote: »

@Joey_V
Glad to see you're still posting and all this covid stuff hasn't burnt you out yet and that you and your family are staying healthy and well.

Only a few more months till the vaccines... phew.

SIHAB

"good insurance."

pitdogg2

Wow and here I thought Larry found another excellent band that I needed to buy the CD.

Hang in there pal, at our age it seems more gremlins pop up in the strangest places.

Toolfan66

Joey_V wrote: »

Thalassemia - problem with the o2 carrying protein WITHIN red blood cells.

This causes either less o2 carrying capacity within each cell and may cause issues with red cell lifespan which would then lead to anemia (low red cells).

It is inherited.

There are 2 parts, alpha and beta, an aspect of hemoglobin chains (o2 carrying protein). Abnormal chains can cause kinks - which can cause problems with production of red cells (erythropoeisis) and early death (hemolysis, anemia).

Typically it does not cause symptoms if trait (alpha trait, beta trait).
However, alpha major, beta minor, beta major cause issues. Typically the more major, the earlier it affects (from birth) which could cause poor growth, abnormal skeletal survey, and frequent transfusions.

As far as I know, there is no treatment as this is a genetic disorder.

But I surmise that as you get older and there are other reasons for anemia, then something that typically would not cause symptoms such as a minor thalassemia variant would begin to cause issues.

Joey, can this just creep up on you as one gets older? I have been getting a physical every year since I turned 40 and it only came out the last couple years..

It’s something I will discuss with my doctor once he gets my files from my other doctor and he is doing another test, so it will be a couple days I’m sure..

Joey_V

Toolfan66 wrote: »

Joey_V wrote: »

Thalassemia - problem with the o2 carrying protein WITHIN red blood cells.

This causes either less o2 carrying capacity within each cell and may cause issues with red cell lifespan which would then lead to anemia (low red cells).

It is inherited.

There are 2 parts, alpha and beta, an aspect of hemoglobin chains (o2 carrying protein). Abnormal chains can cause kinks - which can cause problems with production of red cells (erythropoeisis) and early death (hemolysis, anemia).

Typically it does not cause symptoms if trait (alpha trait, beta trait).
However, alpha major, beta minor, beta major cause issues. Typically the more major, the earlier it affects (from birth) which could cause poor growth, abnormal skeletal survey, and frequent transfusions.

As far as I know, there is no treatment as this is a genetic disorder.

But I surmise that as you get older and there are other reasons for anemia, then something that typically would not cause symptoms such as a minor thalassemia variant would begin to cause issues.

Joey, can this just creep up on you as one gets older? I have been getting a physical every year since I turned 40 and it only came out the last couple years..

It’s something I will discuss with my doctor once he gets my files from my other doctor and he is doing another test, so it will be a couple days I’m sure..

It’s not readily apparent. The tests are specialized. You would’ve already known if you had the major subtype as you would’ve already had transfusions by now.

The minor ones... it might be just subclinical.

I wouldn’t worry about the minor subtypes unless you have symptoms.

Joey_V

Good luck man
Lemme know how you fare with the repeat visit
If you have questions or need me to clarify, just PM me with some pics of the lab tests and I can look through them.

I have friends in all specialties and I can get a consult with a dozen docs in a matter of minutes.

It’s the best part about being in the frontline. You may be a master of none, but you have a friend in all.

maxward

I’m thankful that there are people here, like Joey, who are willing to spend time helping us out when it’s needed.

EndersShadow

^ Agreed. Specially knowing how busy he must be currently.

Toolfan66

Joey_V wrote: »

Good luck man
Lemme know how you fare with the repeat visit
If you have questions or need me to clarify, just PM me with some pics of the lab tests and I can look through them.

I have friends in all specialties and I can get a consult with a dozen docs in a matter of minutes.

It’s the best part about being in the frontline. You may be a master of none, but you have a friend in all.

Thank You Joey,

I got a call from my doctor after he did some other blood work, he has ruled out Thalassemia, he wants me to do another Colonoscopy, and Endoscopy, says my Iron levels are low, makes no sense to me since I came back clean on the last ones, so how else could one be losing blood, or have low iron levels, what could have been missed from the first ones, and it's not cheap to get done... Frustrated!!!