Max Lab
Jul 17, 2024
Haemoglobin is a protein found in the human body that is produced by red blood cells. The main function of this protein is to supply oxygen to different organs and tissues in the body. Other than this, it is also required to carry carbon dioxide back from these organs to the lungs. Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder that affects the human body’s ability to produce haemoglobin and also affects the health of red blood cells.
Here is a simple definition of thalassemia:
Thalassemia is a disease that prevents the human body from producing haemoglobin in sufficient quantities. Since this condition causes the body to produce fewer red blood cells, one can also develop anaemia because of it.
There are four protein chains in haemoglobin: two alpha globin and two beta globin chains. Each of these chains contains genes, which are passed on to every child by parents. Alpha globin protein chains have a total of four genes, two from each parent. Beta globin protein chains have two genes, one from each parent. When any of these genes is missing or has some kind of defect, it leads to thalassemia.
Types
Depending on the severity of the condition, there are four different types of thalassemia, with each one representing a range. These are: trait, minor, intermediate, and major. The thalassemia trait is the mildest condition in which an individual experiences either very mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. This type of thalassemia does not require any kind of treatment as well. Thalassemia major is the most severe form and usually requires constant medical supervision and a proper course of treatment.
Thalassemia can also be divided into two types based on the defected or missing gene. These are:
The symptoms of thalassemia can vary from one person to another, depending on the severity of the condition. However, there are a few common warning signs of thalassemia that one shouldn’t ignore:
Complications
Thalassemia is a condition that needs constant medical supervision. If not treated on time, it can lead to a number of complications, such as:
In some cases of severe thalassemia, an individual can also experience major issues, including:
Like other inherited conditions, thalassemia is also diagnosed in childhood. Usually, the symptoms start appearing within the first two years of a child’s life. There are a few tests that are commonly used for thalassemia diagnosis, which are:
There are several different treatments used for thalassemia, depending on its type and severity. Here are a few methods which are considered to be the most effective for thalassemia:
Other than these treatments, the doctor may also suggest an individual to take folic acid supplements as well as luspatercept injections. Both of them can help the body produce more healthy red blood cells.
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