Another hemoglobin-inducer includes thalidomide, although it has not been tested in a clinical setting. Patients who took 10 mg/kg of hydroxyurea every day for a year had significantly higher hemoglobin levels, and it was a well-tolerated treatment for patients who did not respond well to blood transfusions. Hydroxyurea is the only FDA approved drug for thalassemia. Thalassemia patients who do not respond well to blood transfusions can take hydroxyurea or thalidomide, and sometimes a combination of both. If the spleen becomes overly enlarged, surgical removal may be required. Complications may include iron overload from the transfusions with resulting heart or liver disease, infections, and osteoporosis. Occasionally, a bone marrow transplant may be an option. Iron chelation may be done with deferoxamine, deferasirox or deferiprone.
Treatment for those with more severe disease often includes regular blood transfusions, iron chelation, and folic acid. Treatment depends on the type and severity. Diagnosis may occur before birth through prenatal testing. Diagnosis is typically by blood tests including a complete blood count, special hemoglobin tests, and genetic tests. The severity of alpha and beta thalassemia depends on how many of the four genes for alpha globin or two genes for beta globin are missing. There are two main types, alpha thalassemia and beta thalassemia. Thalassemias are genetic disorders inherited. There may also be bone problems, an enlarged spleen, yellowish skin, and dark urine. Anemia can result in feeling tired and pale skin. Often there is mild to severe anemia (low red blood cells or hemoglobin). Symptoms depend on the type and can vary from none to severe. Thalassemias are inherited blood disorders characterized by decreased hemoglobin production. Feeling tired, pale skin, enlarged spleen, yellowish skin, dark urine īlood transfusions, iron chelation, folic acid
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