What percent of the population has thalassemia?

It has been estimated that about 1.5% of the global population (80 to 90 million people) are carriers of beta-thalassemia, with about 60,000 symptomatic individuals born annually, the great majority in the developing world.

Is thalassemia minor normal?

Persons with thalassemia minor have (at most) mild anemia (slight lowering of the hemoglobin level in the blood). This situation can very closely resemble that with mild iron-deficiency anemia. However, persons with thalassemia minor have a normal blood iron level (unless they are iron deficient for other reasons).

Is there a thalassemia minor?

One mutated gene, you’ll have mild signs and symptoms. This condition is called thalassemia minor or beta-thalassemia. Two mutated genes, your signs and symptoms will be moderate to severe. This condition is called thalassemia major, or Cooley anemia.

Is thalassemia minor fatal?

There are many different forms of thalassemia and the degree of severity ranges from no symptoms at all to fatal disease. If you have thalassemia minor (trait), you are a carrier of the disease and your red blood cells are smaller than normal, but you are healthy. Thalassemia major can be fatal.

Can minor thalassemia drink alcohol?

Patients with thalassaemia should be discouraged from consuming alcohol, as it can facilitate the oxidative damage of iron and aggravates the effect of HBV and HCV on liver tissue.

How many people in the world have thalassemia?

As of 2013, thalassemia occurs in about 280 million people, with about 439,000 having severe disease. It is most common among people of Italian, Greek, Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African descent. Males and females have similar rates of disease.

How does a person find out they have thalassemia?

People with less severe forms of thalassemia may only find out because they are having symptoms of anemia, or maybe because a doctor finds anemia on a routine blood test or a test done for another reason. Because thalassemias are inherited, the condition sometimes runs in families.

Can a person with thalassemia have low blood count?

Since your body has fewer red blood cells when you have thalassemia, you may have symptoms of a low blood count, or anemia.

What are the side effects of thalassemia minor?

Thalassemia minor is then not that much fun. 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. I have suffered from hyperventilation for a long time, but if you have anemia it can be difficult to make a distinction here.

What is the difference between thalassemia minor and major?

Thalassemia minor is a mild form of the disease in which the patient inherits only one mutated gene and act as a carrier. Thalassemia major is a severe form of the disease that can cause serious illness. Thalassemia is a group of genetic blood disorders that is characterized by destruction of red blood cells and hemoglobin higher than normal.

What blood tests are done to detect thalassemia?

Abnormally shaped red blood cells are a sign of thalassemia. The lab technician may also perform a test known as hemoglobin electrophoresis . This test separates out the different molecules in the red blood cells, allowing them to identify the abnormal type.

Does thalassemia cause low iron?

If the RDW is low (the cells are mostly the same size), then it’s probably thalassemia. If the RDW is high (the cells vary a lot in size), then it’s probably iron deficiency anemia.

What is thalassemia minor disease?

(Definition/Background Information) Beta Thalassemia Minor (or Thalassemia Minor), a rare genetic blood disorder, is a defect in the synthesis of beta chains of hemoglobin (a protein that carries oxygen to the tissues). Unlike Thalassemia Major, Thalassemia Minor has only one defective beta globin gene.