Difference between aplastic anaemia and alpha thalassemia minor?

[Crystalee]

Hi all,

Just wondering what the difference between aplastic anaemia is and thalassemia minor? As I have thalassemia minor and can it turn into aplastic anaemia as it relates to a decrease in red blood cells?

[Gambit62 Administrator]

although this forum has anaemia in the title it is a bit of a historical misnomer.

the symptoms of PA are caused by B12 deficiency as it leads to problems absorbing B12 from diet. One of the symptoms of B12 deficiency is a particular type of anaemia called macrocytic anaemia where red blood cells are larger and rounder than normal and when the condition was first identified over 200 years ago and over a hundred years before vitamin B12 was actually identified - it was observed as a particular type of anaemia that lead to death.

About 25% of people who have PA will actually present first with no anaemia at all.

There may be some on the forum that may be able to answer your condition as some have problems with iron as well but this may not be the best place for your question

[Foggyme Administrator]

Hi Crystalee. I see you've also posted the same question in the Sickle Cell Society forum...perhaps a better place to get an answer than here. But as Gambit says, you never know, one of our forum members might pop along with some information.

Hope you find some answers soon.

👍