What Are the Treatments for Thalassemia?

Thalassemia is a blood disorder caused by the inheritance of defective hemoglobin genes. A hemoglobin is a protein within your blood cells. Hemoglobin also transports oxygen to your lungs and your body's tissues, and exports carbon dioxide from your lungs and tissues. According to the Mayo Clinic, in order to develop the disorder, it would only take the inheritance of one or more defective gene from your parents. When you develop thalassemia, the production of hemoglobin becomes interrupted, which causes blood cell destruction. Treatments vary depending on the severity of your condition.

Types

• There are two types of thalassemia: alpha-thalassemia and beta-thalassemia. An alpha hemoglobin chain consists of four genes. You inherit two genes from each of your parents. If one or more of these genes is defective, you'll develop what is known as alpha-thalassemia. A beta hemoglobin chain has two genes, one from each of your parents. If one or both of the genes you inherit are defective, you develop what is known as beta-thalassemia.

Blood Transfusions

• Those who have moderate to severe forms of thalassemia are treated with blood transfusions to help maintain their levels of hemoglobin. According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, blood cells have a life span of 120 days, which means frequent blood transfusions will be necessary if your thalassemia is severe. If you suffer from beta-thalassemia, blood transfusions will only be needed if you develop infections or become sick.

Iron Chelation

• Multiple blood transfusions can eventually lead to iron buildup in your blood. Too much iron can cause complications, such as heart and organ damage. According to the Mayo Clinic, medications known as iron chelators can be prescribed to help rid your body of excess iron. Iron chelators can be given either in liquid form or by pill. Iron chelation therapy can cause serious side effects, such as nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, muscle aches, extreme fatigue and headaches.

Stem Cell Transplant

• Normally your body produces stems cells within your bone marrow. When you have thalassemia, the production of healthy blood cells isn't possible. A stem cell transplant places healthy cells into your body, while replacing damaged cells. A stem cell transplant can also help your body start producing red blood cells.

Research

• According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, research is being conducted on possible treatments for thalassemia, such as taking a healthy hemoglobin gene and placing it into stem cells. If research could succeed in inserting healthy hemoglobin into stem cells, and then placing these stem cells into your marrow, your body would be able to create its own healthy hemoglobin and red blood cells.