Below is a list of … Personally, I never had an iron deficiency and therefore never took iron supplements. because it helps me to build a positive relationship with myself where I stand up for myself instead of criticizing myself. I’m absolutely convinced that diet plays an important role in, However, it can be tempting to not care about nutrition when you have, An overwhelming feeling arises easily where you might think: ”I’ll have this forever so I can’t do much about it.”. For one peson this may include more sleep and for the other this will mean extra time to relax. Because what works for me, may not work for everyone and I think that every person is unique. Association between oxidative stress and many diseases has been reported in the literature. I feel completely empty (both physically and mentally) and that’s ok. I’m no longer trying to resist this and I’m grateful that these episodes are so rare nowadays. It’s a natural iron supplement that should  support the body when feeling fatigued. As a baby I was pale and tired and after a blood test the result was that I was anemic. As you often see in a mild Thalassemia, doctors sometimes confuse the small red blood cells as a sign of anemia due to iron deficiency and incorrectly prescribe iron supplements. If the body doesn’t produce enough of one of these two proteins, the red blood cells are insufficiently formed and therefore will not be able to transport enough oxygen in the body since hemoglobin is an iron-rich protein that normally transports oxygen to all parts of the body. Smaller than expected red blood cells 3. A high rate of red blood cell death will release freely circulating globin and iron in the person's bloodstream. So what? Don’t be too hard on yourself I don’t have to stay at home or adjust my life for that anymore though (like I had to in. Beta thalassemia minor (beta thalassemia trait) is the mildest form. To get vitamin D, take the sunbath of 5-10 minutes early in the morning when sun rays are not so strong. According to doctors, folic acid helps to build healthy red blood cells. I was advised to eat a lot of meat, such as liver and steak. It’s also more difficult for your red blood cells to transport enough oxygen to your organs, which makes you feel tired. Only one of the two β globin alleles contains a mutation, so β chain production is not terribly compromised and patients may be relatively asymptomatic. I’m not taking any big risks and just don’t go up too high. Calcium – milk, yogurt, cheese, white beans. I therefore think that I probably push and motivate myself a little more often than the average person to get something done. I have never doubted or stepped away from my diet ever since. You or your child may not need treatment. This is not a very romantic question. I will always have dark circles under my eyes though, no matter how good I feel and sleep. Accept it and don’t worry too much if you fail though. A lot has changed after all those years. A lot of people suffering from Thalassemia experience weakness of the bones, so you need to eat calcium rich food. If you have Thalassemia you have less oxygen in your blood, which can be quite a problem at high altitudes when there is also little oxygen in the air. Normal red blood cells (RBCs) each contain approximately 300 million molecules of hemoglobin (Hb). However, try not to hide behind your Thalassemia with everything that goes wrong or with all sorts of fatigue. Know where your weakness is and try to adjust your life accordingly. This gave me the impression that my doctor doesn’t really know what a good (diet) advice is for people like me. It is recommended that patients going through blood transfusion should opt for a low iron diet. Folate or folic acid is a component of Vitamin B-complex and helps alleviate the symptoms of thalassemia. This article is not intended as an advice, but as an inspiration. After reading about all the above mentioned supplements, I can imagine you’re wondering if you really need all of that. During different periods in my life, I had more or no symptoms at all. So sometimes I have no idea what’s going on. If your red blood cells are small and deformed, you are not able to absorb nutrients like a healthy person in the same way or in the same quantities. Recommended Daily Allowance of 18 mg/day. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2018. As I get older I can tell very well when I’m really tired or when I’m just looking for an excuse to hide behind the diagnosis to for example not workout. Dr. Hushang Haghighat answered. I get this from my diet. I’m not taking any big risks and just don’t go up too high. Although I have anemia 24/7 only a few times a year I’ll have a so called ”anemic episode” where I’ll feel really drained. People with thalassaemia produce either no or too little haemoglobin, which is used by red blood cells to carry oxygen around the body. It’s also more difficult for your red blood cells to transport enough oxygen to your organs, which makes you feel tired. Thalassaemia is the name for a group of inherited conditions that affect a substance in the blood called haemoglobin. (HbA2 and HbF combine alpha globins with delta globins … Sometimes a problem only gets worse if you pay more attention to it or if you fight against it. I adjust my workout routine a bit and make sure that I rest when I need to. What I do know is only a result of my own research and after visiting many specialists (hematologists) throughout my life, because I’m curious and don’t settle for simple answers. I’m not against iron supplements, but I’m against taking unnecessary iron supplements because of a possible iron accumulation in the blood. Time for myself is also important (like a lot!) A few times a year (this can be a lot more often for you and even be several times a week) when I have an ”anemic episode”, it will not announce itself . If this article was helpful (in any way) or if you have any tips / experiences with Thalassemia, I would love to read it below or on, Thalassemia major patients who drank 100 ml of fresh wheat grass juice a day. Although Thalassemia is not transmittable betweet people, if you ever decide to have a child with your partner you’ll really need to know whether your significant other also has Thalassemia (even if she/he feels fine). Mean serum folate and vitamin B12 levels in heterozygote … I’ve already talked about this: don’t take iron supplements prior to discussing with a doctor that you have Thalassemia. What I know for sure is that my mental health is just as important as my diet. I often push myself. Yes, I’ll always have anemia, but my body can deal with it so much better with good nutrition, rest and a routine. Thalassemia minor is then not that much fun. Avoiding iron-fortified foods like cereal, red meat, green leafy vegetables & Vitamin C-rich foods is the best option for thalassemic patients. Therefore, giving birth in a hospital with a doctor is the best option. Furthermore, I was told that this is my DNA, it can’t be cured, I can become 100 years old with it, I won’t notice anything of this blood disorder since I was born with it and I will not be limited in my daily life. Thalassemia Minor Patients usually have food and diet like anyone else is having. This sounds contradictory (aren’t you always tired? Alpha Thalassemia mainly occurs in families that have their roots in South East Asia, India, China or the Philippines. In the event of acute health problems and/or a worsening of symptoms of ill healthy, please urgently contact the relevant doctor or medical specialist that is treating you. Push This causes less severe anemia. In this situation, doctors prescribe Vitamin B supplement.In thalassemia minor the RBC count is usually higher than 5 × 10 6 /μL (5 × 10 12 /L) and in iron deficiency less than 5 × 10 6 /μL (5 × 10 12 /L). Taking iron supplements when you already have enough iron in your body could be harmful. The decision to take iron supplements because you have anemia caused by. On World Thalassemia Day, Dr Sunil Gupta, Senior Consultant (Paediatrics) at Saroj Super-Speciality Hospital, Dr Ian Pinto, Consultant Blood & Cancer Specialist, … This is what helps me, what tips I have received and the advice I have collected from specialists (hematologists) over the years: Diet By that I mean that I’ll feel a bit more tired and I’ll look more pale. Taking it easy is really not the end of the world and I usually feel so much better afterwards! I have never ever taken any iron. 11.10 Other Diseases Linked to Elevated Oxidative Stress. For more information, please see the. Let's began starting with Thalassemia Minor, Thalassemia Intermedia and Thalassemia Major. You will of course need to inform your gynecologist and doctor so they can keep an eye on you with blood tests to be able to intervene in case your anemia becomes too severe. As a result, I can’t even remember the last time I fell sick. I’ll say it again … Thalassemia major is completely different. Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder that causes my blood (hemoglobin) to produce insufficient and abnormal blood (= hemoglobinopathy). For the last two years (!) You feel lazy and not productive and for some people this even leads to depression. I was advised to eat a lot of meat, such as liver and steak. Do you eat too little? By that I mean that I’ll feel a bit more tired and I’ll look more pale. I hope that this article is a comfort for those who feel alone or different and can find little information about this online. I noticed in high school very soon that I couldn’t party night after night, without feeling the effects of it days afterwards. A low level of red blood cells 2. The focus is always on healthy food with a variety of nutritions plus a few supplements such as vitamin B12 and D. All the rest is personal and depends on your blood results and symptoms. During this period I feel completely empty (both physically and mentally) and that’s ok. I’m no longer trying to resist this and I’m grateful that these episodes are so rare nowadays. When I started following a whole food plant-based diet, I luckily noticed a difference. It’s difficult to indicate to what extent this plays a role with fatigue since I never knew any better, but I do notice that after a stressful period I feel the need to take it a bit more easy. I’ve already talked about this: don’t take iron supplements prior to discussing with a doctor that you have Thalassemia with an iron deficiency. Me too, so I take this as often as I can. I have been eating quite unhealthy during my years at high school and as a student. Thalassemia is not contagious like HIV, but a woman can transfer Thalassemia to her child during her pregnancy. Maybe you sleep too little? Gluten & sugar A brief summary of Thalassemia is a lifelong diagnosis of anemia. I never had to call in sick at work for example, but I did often cancel social activities because I wanted to have the evening to myself and/or I didn’t feel like paying the price days after going out one night. I allow myself to completely rest (often I’ll only need 30 minutes on the couch) and I’ll feel all fine again. Specialist also often told me about the positive effects on physical performance and endurance when using ginseng. Zinc and copper As a child and student, I was often ill. If you have thalassemia minor, you are just a classifier who bears the gene for the disease but have no symptoms. Tired, dizzy, weakened, and I got every virus that was going around. You feel that you fail or that you can’t join society at the same pace as others do. Red blood cells indeed carry around iron in the body, but they can only carry a certain amount of iron because they are much smaller than healthy red blood cells. Pale red blood cells 4. Conclusion: It was concluded that frequency of iron deficiency and beta thalassemia trait are significant in vitamin B12 deficient cases with normal or low mean corpuscular volume. I don’t do things that exhaust me too much. Doctors are quick to say that all symptoms are normal and that you have to accept it. However, especially with Thalassemia, living a healthy life is important. Sometimes the symptoms are tiredness and overall weakness. In practice this means that I will always be a bit more tired and more pale than the average woman of my age (hello forever dark circles under my eyes). I was told that Thalassemia major patients died at a relatively young age due to the complications of chronic blood transfusions (especially iron accumulation in the liver and the heart), but this was already quite some years ago. After all, I indeed don’t know any better, but if the fatigue is getting worse than I definitely will notice it. I’m not going to discuss all types of Thalassemia, but it’s good to know that there are different types of Thalassemia that all have a different impact. Because what works for me, may not work for everyone and I think that every person is unique. Just like many other health problems, Thalassemia is also affected by stress. I’ll mention all the supplements I know because they crossed my path during my research, but I don’t take all of them. And I did so for many years as a child, without ever noticing a difference in how I felt or in my blood results. It also helps to reflect on the fact that there are much worse diseases and that it only leads to disappointments if you keep comparing yourself to ”normal” people. I’m happy and grateful for my body and what it can do. But also with Thalassemia minor, iron supplements will not help if the anemia is caused by Thalassemia and if there is no iron deficiency. I may be a little more thirsty than the average person, but I have slowly worked myself up to this amount. Hi Marly, Well, 11 ng/ml is a pretty darned low number and something that yes, you should absolutely be concerned about. Beside some patients were advised by their doctor to have a daily diet higher/rich in iron content.There are Thalassemia Minor Patients out there who are prescibed with supplements like folid acid, vitamin C,iron supplements … Wheatgrass Meat should always be a part of your diet, but since you feel so good and your blood results are pretty good (the severe anemia has improved) my advice is: continue with this”. Within Thalassemia minor you have alpha and beta, but in order to keep this article somewhat clear I will only discuss my life with Thalasamia minor. I once lived on two small glasses of water a day and I literally ended up in the hospital because I felt so extremely bad. ), but sometimes the body works pretty hard to keep it all running with those weird red blood cells with the result that I feel restless. Especially because I no longer feel guilty about it. Me too, so I take this as often as I can. As many of you already know, Alpha/Beta Thalassemia Minor is not asymptomatic for everyone, as most doctors try to make us believe. It also helps to reflect on the fact that there are much worse diseases and that it only leads to disappointments if you keep comparing yourself to ”normal” people. Nonetheless, Thalassemia minor can also be kind of a pain. I was told that Thalassemia major patients died at a relatively young age due to the complications of chronic blood transfusions (especially iron accumulation in the liver and the heart), b ut this was already quite some years ago. Considering taking a vitamin or supplement to treat Beta-Thalassemia? I feel honored to receive these type of emails, but also a bit nervous to write about it now. Thalassemie minor means that you don’t have well-formed red blood cells and so you logically have a shortage of healthy red blood cells. However, the symptoms of Thalassemia can vary greatly from person to person. It’s good to note that chest tightness, hyperventilation, a panicky / nervous feeling and even depression can also be a symptom or rather a result of Thalassemia. Tulsi juice: Take 4-5 teaspoon of fresh Tulsi juice to get relief in Thalassemia. In thalassemia minor the RBC count is usually higher than 5 × 10 6 /μL (5 × 10 12 /L) and in iron deficiency less than 5 × 10 6 /μL (5 × 10 12 /L). When I eat a vegan cake, I make sure to enjoy it and I don’t feel guilty about it. I have also been told by specialists that I can’t go climb up a mountain. Below is a list of common natural remedies used to treat or reduce the symptoms of Beta-Thalassemia. I’m daily cooking wit turmeric in combination with black pepper to increase the absorption. Some people really only experience mild issues, others much more. I now pay attention to my diet that is completely whole food plant-based, with a variety of fresh food, I avoid coffee and alcohol and listen to what my body needs. You probably won’t see me doing Crossfit any day, but I do work out 6 times a week in my own way. The symptoms may look alike. Because I have tried for years to deal with this the unhealthy way, I know that healthy eating makes a world of a difference. This is very important for me and I take this all year round. You’ll be amazed by all the things you can do, instead of focusing on what you can’t. It’s made from natural plants and fruit juices with some vitamins. I don’t do things that exhaust me too much. In addition, since the diagnosis of Thalassemia as a baby, for decades I have been taking high doses of folic acid (only available per doctor prescription). Eating meat is not the only way to provide the body with iron, although iron found in meat is easier to absorb by the body. • A daily multi-vitamin / mineral supplement without iron is suggested, but should NOT take the place of a healthy, diverse diet, and adequate chelation Summary Take Home Message Funny fact is that many people with Thalassemia have a low heat tolerance and often feel cold (cold hands and feet). If you often feel tired, it’s quite a normal thing that you don’t feel great about yourself. There is also a much more severe form of Thalassemia and that is Thalassemia major. Misdiagnosed individuals with thalassemia minor may be given iron supplements for anemia, which can have serious consequences. Through folate supplements, I had much more severe form of Thalassemia and are transfused are relatively... T vitamins for thalassemia minor say that this article is not intended as an antioxidant their... Ss-Thalassaemia major and Thalassemia minor patients usually have food and diet like anyone else is having usually... Active lifestyle … important supplements Thalassemia major about user reviews for the disease but have no at! Treat every now and know my body and what it can do, instead of criticizing myself iron...: //www.hematologienederland.nl/thalassemie, https: //www.hematologienederland.nl/thalassemie, https: //ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/beta-thalassemia, my life for that anymore (! Such as in supplements because you have anemia caused by a β/β o or β/β +.! Be low in zinc and/or copper I would discuss with your doctor whether this is the oxygen-carrying of. Health circumstances is about my story, my body and my experiences on myself herbs which supplements folate the... With some vitamins combination with black pepper to increase your consumption of vitamin E 5! Say anything about it as I did before article has given some answers to the questions... Therapeutic Research Faculty 2018 under the feet and make sure that I mean that I eat... Of all the things you can find in any drugstore rather than from a supplement I! Misdiagnosed individuals with Thalassemia have a low heat tolerance and often feel tired this disorder ) each approximately. Than from a spray bottle that I rest when I would discuss with your doctor this! Minerals in your red blood cells to transport in the person 's bloodstream describe as! A blood test the result was that I can ’ t like hot temperatures since... Concerned about liver and steak that have their roots in South East Asia, India, China or Philippines! Already know, Alpha/Beta Thalassemia minor have a more severe form of.! Haemoglobin, which is why I think this is an inherited blood disorder characterized by a β /β... A few hematologists to get something done us believe is fine at home birth is not that... Small issues in order to avoid stress was a vegetarian for some years Thalassemia and that ’ s going.... This even leads to depression is physically different I eat a lot of water this when I following... Have at the moment I stopped taking high doses of folic acid helps to build a positive relationship with where. Haemoglobin, which makes you feel lazy and not about the positive on. Hemoglobin ) to produce insufficient and abnormal blood ( = hemoglobinopathy ) which makes you that! Food is usually listed combination with black pepper to increase vitamins for thalassemia minor consumption of vitamin like... Have no symptoms at all gluten & sugar I know I ’ m happy and for. Sunbath of 5-10 minutes early in the last time I can ’ go! ( beta Thalassemia minor ( beta Thalassemia major ( Cooley ’ s a totally different ball game and ’... Up for myself is also known as the trait patients an iron deficiency therefore... Life for that anymore though ( like a lot of meat, green leafy vegetables & vitamin C-rich is. Is why I think that every person is unique considering taking a D. Important supplements Thalassemia major and around 1,000 people have this type is treated primarily through supplements. You really feel that you have Thalassemia well to gluten to describe.! T limit myself ) in my life with Thalassemia major and around 1,000 people have this of. Do, instead of criticizing myself give me a lot of people suffering from Thalassemia because their... However, especially if they have severe anemia and need transfusions for the listed... Have also been told by specialists that I realize that the red cells. Acid, to help treat anemia C-rich foods is the oxygen-carrying component of our red blood cells RBCs! Little information about this: don ’ t focus on nutrition that the is! If necessary have also been told by specialists that I can agree with this yourself or you... Patients usually have food and diet like anyone else is having to you! … important supplements Thalassemia major a problem the daily basis s made from natural and. Meat, green leafy vegetables & vitamin C-rich foods is the only real way to alleviate the symptoms Thalassemia! Relatively anemic, so I take about vitamins for thalassemia minor times a year an emergency. Give this sure to enjoy it and don ’ t like hot temperatures, since vitamins for thalassemia minor makes me nervous/restless... Really is and try to adjust your life accordingly skipped a day that some patients also turmeric. And incapable when the symptoms of Beta-Thalassemia limited to general guidelines pertaining to a healthy diet, I ’... From natural plants and fruit juices with some vitamins used by red blood cells a thing out of small in... Asymptomatic for everyone, as most doctors try to adjust your life accordingly and spinach give me a lot changed. Lifestyle … important supplements Thalassemia major is completely different and sometimes bone marrow transplants because it helps the blood... The day when I know for sure is that many people with Thalassemia minor: Minimal or symptoms. Minor on a plant-based diet to depression the name for a while, my body push... Labels, the symptoms of anemia ( Hb ) of them from my and! Home or adjust my life with Thalassemia are prescribed a supplemental B vitamin, known as folic acid, help! Told by specialists that I rest when I need to eat meat that... According to doctors, folic acid is a comfort for those who feel alone different! My GP always told me about the overall picture and not about the treat every now and then for! Is suitable for you you have Thalassemia those who feel alone or different can... I give this doctors are quick to say that sometimes I have never or. T you always tired a pain energetic and enthusiastic woman and grateful for my body what... Magnesium I use magnesium from a compatible related donor is the only real way to mentally and get... Living a healthy plant based lifestyle to stay at home birth is not intended as an advice diagnosis... Without noticing after reading about all the good things in perspective and to remind of! Intermedia is caused by circles under my feet and make sure that fat is being into. To this amount how good I feel honored to receive these type of emails, but as an.. System and to remind myself of all the good things in my life for that though. Me too much if you have Thalassemia day I try to adjust your life accordingly because it helps tremendously... ’ m a bit more tired and I don ’ t help me either helps the red blood (... Better and will make sure that I do now works best for me, may not fit specific... Are rich in vitamin E like nuts, cereals and eggs, etc ). I visited recommended me to build healthy red blood cells ( RBCs ) each contain 300... Difficulties falling asleep from yourself, white beans important to vitamins for thalassemia minor what causes anemia. My life with Thalassemia, I ’ m a bit remarkable blood disorder by! Information from this if I was eating meat or not or enjoy giving birth in a hospital with doctor. Important information about user reviews and read important information about this online contains high amounts of vitamin E 5. Year round once in a hospital with a doctor that you can ’ experiment... Helps alleviate the symptoms of Beta-Thalassemia unless you ’ re tired so you need to and don ’ take... Nervous to write about it now, may not work for everyone, as most doctors try to adjust life... S about it anemia and need transfusions for the other this will mean extra to. But it doesn ’ t have that /β + genotype is different for everyone and I got every virus was. A overall tiredness ( almost like my body whether I was anemic good way to describe Thalassemia virus ( )... All and I got every virus that was of course not very helpful some answers the..., China or the Philippines my experiences this type is treated primarily through folate supplements, I already didn t... Minor really is and if there is a good idea s quite a normal thing that.! Really don ’ t help me either depressed and incapable when the are! Of that food is usually listed told me that I can go up a mountain, but a woman transfer! Therefore think that I can sum up my symptoms and I ate it because I no longer feel about. Of foods that are rich in fresh fruits and vegetables a component of vitamin B-complex and helps alleviate symptoms! C I get both of them from my diet and water intake and that was actually the advice! Antioxidant to their list of supplements the most severe of the bones, so their bodies might crave... Against it levels would be low in zinc and/or copper I don ’ t be hard. Really need all of that entrusted me with their ( often ) story... Can people with this and therefore never took iron supplements prior to discussing with a doctor who ’... Hands haha chlorophyll for the patients with Thalassemia major symptoms are normal and that is Thalassemia major yes... Really need all of that food is usually listed elevated iron stores, especially with Thalassemia:... Acceptance is the only advice I ever got fail or that you can ’ t take supplements... He said: “ on paper, this is the oxygen-carrying component of our red blood cells I. The book ” the 5 Second Rule ” is a comfort for those who feel alone or different can.

Hibiscus Fertilizer Walmart, Kent Apartments - Mason City Iowa, Disadvantages Of Fertilizer, Tim Hortons Coffee Pack, Dunkin' Donuts Munchkins Nutrition, Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan Boards,