Why? Mutation in the DNA of cells that make hemoglobin.
Which? Alpha- and beta-thalassemia are the most common with different forms depending on type and number of mutations.
Haemoglobin production leads to red blood cell destruction leading to oxygen depletion in tissue causing fatigue and anaemia
How common in UAE?
- 5% carriers of beta-thalassemia
- 49% carriers of alpha-thalassemia
Where?
Thalassemia can show up in any ethnicity.
Alpha is common in:- African
- Middle Eastern
- East Indian
- Chinese
- Occasionally Mediterranean (Italian and Greek)
- Mediterranean
- iranian
- Gulf
- African
- Chinese
- Southeast Asia
SYMPTOMS if carrier?
Asymptomatic or mild iron deficiency anemia
SYMPTOMS if affected?
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Poor appetite
- Pale appearance
- Yellow discoloration of skin (jaundice)
- Slow growth
- Abdominal swelling
- Dark urine
- Enlarged spleen
- Bone deformities
- Heart problems
What is known about thalassemia?
- Mild thalassemia may not need treatment, but the more severe form requires regular blood transfusions.
- Mildly increased energy Hence, well-balanced and nutrient dense diet can help you feel better and boost your energy.
- If you are unlikely to obtain all your needs from diet alone consider taking multivitamin/mineral supplement.
- Iron intake should be monitored in case of overload.
- Vitamin D and zinc deficiencies are of particular concern and related to secondary health problems of thalassemia, such as iron deposition in certain organs, which will affect bone formation. Hence, consider 2000 IU/d of vitamin D and 20-90 mg/d of zinc in case of low bone mass.
- Folic acid deficiency is common; supplement may be recommended to make new red blood cells.
- No sufficient evidence suggests high dose of antioxidants from supplements will be beneficial.
- Protect yourself from infections throughgood hygiene, annual flu shots and vaccines (e.g. hepatitis B, pneumococcal).
Iron overload?
Too much iron from regular blood transfusions or increased absorption in the gut, will accumulate to toxic levels.
Low-iron diet:
- Limit high iron foods:
- Meat iron: oyster, sardines, liver, beef, lamb and chicken.
- Non-meat iron: beans, tofu, peanut butter, tofu, flour tortillas, cream of wheat fortified food items with iron and cereals. Also consider eliminating spinach, broccoli, leafy green vegetables prunes, dates and raisins.
- Iron-chelating agents may be prescribed by your doctor
* Absorption of iron into our body from non-meat sources is lower than that of meat sources.
Decrease iron absorption in your body:
- Avoid vitamin C rich foods (e.g. orange juice).
- Increase intake of dairy products, particularly calcium-rich foods: milk, yogurt, cheese
- Drink tea or coffee with meals.
- Supplements without iron and vitamin C (e.g. Centrum Silver).
- Iron deposition in testis of young men and ovaries of young women can cause early menopause in women and require hormone replacement therapy (testosterone and estrogen) in both men and women.
What do we know about thalassemia and exercise?
- Exercise capacity is reduced due to anemia and iron-related cardiotoxicity (i.e. iron overload).
- Heart rate and cardiac output were reported to be abnormally high during exercise when having thalassemia.
- Aim for 150 min/week of moderate exercise and start progressively!
By Ms. Ayla Coussa
Clinical Dietitian