Contents:
- Medical Video: Beta Thalassemia | Zayed's Story
- Standard treatment for thalassemia
- Blood transfusion
- Iron Chelation Therapy
- Folic acid supplement
- Other treatments
- Blood and marrow stem cell transplant
- Treatment in the future
- Treat complications
Medical Video: Beta Thalassemia | Zayed's Story
Treatment depends on the type and severity of thalassemia suffered by each patient. Patients with alpha or beta thalassemia trait show mild symptoms or even no symptoms at all. These patients may only need little or no treatment.
For cases of severe or mild thalassemia, doctors recommend three types of standard treatment, namely blood transfusion, iron chelation therapy (iron chelation therapy), and folic acid supplements. Other types of treatment that have been developed or are still in the testing process are rarely used.
Standard treatment for thalassemia
Blood transfusion
Red blood cell transfusion is the main treatment for people who have moderate or severe thalassemia. This treatment can increase the number of healthy red blood cells with normal hemoglobin.
During a blood transfusion, the needle is used to insert intravenously (IV) into one of the blood vessels, until healthy blood enters the body. The procedure usually takes 1-4 hours.
Red blood cells only last around 120 days. Therefore, you may need to undergo repeated transfusions to maintain a healthy supply of red blood cells.
For patients with hemoglobin H or beta thalassemia intermedia, you may need blood transfusions under certain conditions, for example when you have an infection or other disease, or when you have severe anemia that causes fatigue.
For people with beta thalassemia major (Cooley anemia), you may need regular blood transfusions (every 2-4 weeks). This transfusion will help you maintain normal levels of hemoglobin and red blood cells.
Blood transfusion can help you feel better, enjoy daily activities, and live a normal life. Although it is very useful for life safety, this treatment is quite expensive and carries the risk of transmission of infections and viruses (such as hepatitis). However, the risk of infection and virus transmission is very low in the United States because it has been through strict blood screening.
Iron Chelation Therapy
Hemoglobin in red blood cells is an iron-rich protein. Through regular transfusion, iron in the blood will accumulate in certain organs, such as the liver, heart and other organs. This condition is called iron overload or iron overload.
To prevent this damage, doctors use iron chelation therapy to get rid of excess iron from the body. The two main drugs used in iron chelation therapy are:
- Deferoxamine is a liquid drug that is given slowly under the skin, usually through a small portable pump that is used overnight. This therapy takes time and is a bit painful. Side effects of this drug are impaired vision and hearing.
- Deferasirox is a pill taken 1 time a day. Side effects of this medication are headache, nausea (uncomfortable stomach), vomiting, diarrhea, joint pain, and fatigue.
Folic acid supplement
Folic acid is a B vitamin that helps build healthy red blood cells. Doctors may recommend folic acid supplements in addition to treatment of blood transfusions and / or iron chelation therapy.
Other treatments
The following will be presented other treatments for thalassemia that have been developed or are undergoing a testing phase tested (but less frequently).
Blood and marrow stem cell transplant
Blood transplants and marrow stem cells are carried out to replace damaged stem cells with healthy ones from donors. Stem cells are cells in the bone marrow that play a role in the production of red blood cells and other types of blood cells.
Stem cell transplantation is the only treatment that can cure thalassemia. But only a few severe thalassemia patients are able to find a suitable donor.
Treatment in the future
Researchers continue to develop new treatments for thalassemia. Maybe in the future, there will be therapy to insert normal hemoglobin genes into stem cells in the bone marrow. This therapy allows the body of the thalassemia patient to make red blood cells and hemoglobin itself.
Researchers are also studying ways to stimulate a person's ability to make fetal hemoglobin after birth. This type of hemoglobin is found in the fetus and newborn baby. After birth, the body switches to make adult hemoglobin. Making more fetal hemoglobin may mask the lack of healthy adult hemoglobin.
Treat complications
Current treatment allows moderate and severe thalassemia patients to live longer. However, they must face complications that may occur from time to time.
An important part of treating thalassemia is treating its complications. Treatment of complications may be needed to deal with heart problems or liver disease, infections, osteoporosis, and other health problems.
