Thalassemia

[Advice1]

Hi to the community ,i am a female in my 30’s of SE Asian origin

living in the UK ,i would like some help in my results

i am having difficulty interpreting my fasting blood results ,the confusion comes as i have Thalasemia Trait (Minor)which i think could affect the FBC. I had a blood test for tiredness and some night sweats ,and recently have been very short hot tempered and find it hard to back down at very small things that anoy me, i had a Thyroid Test which was a good result too .I have been told having Thalassemia trait minor being Asymptomatic it affects blood results and actually scews the result so i would be grateful if anyone could look at my

FBC result i have uploaded as there are some high and low results outside the normal ranges The GP has not contacted me on theses results

but i am concerned at the results as i said it is very confusing

as it also takes a long while to contact a GP in my area.

Thank you for any kind help.

[fbirder]

Your MCV and RDW are very low and very high, respectively. That, normally, would indicate a probable iron-deficiency anaemia. But I don’t know how Thalassaemia might affect that.

Edit...

I've just read a bit on thalassaemia - labtestsonline.org/conditio... and it seems that microcytosis (small red cells) is an early sign.

"Alpha thalassemia is sometimes confused with iron deficiency anemia because both disorders have smaller than usual (microcytic) red blood cells. If someone has thalassemia, his or her iron levels are not expected to be low. Iron therapy will not help people with alpha thalassemia and may lead to iron overload, which can cause organ damage over time."

and

"Alpha Thalassemia Trait (2 genes affected).

People who have alpha thalassemia trait have red blood cells (RBCs) that are smaller (microcytic) and paler (hypochromic) than normal, have a decreased MCV (mean corpuscular volume, a measurement of the average size of a single RBC), and have a mild chronic anemia. They generally do not have other signs and sometimes may lack symptoms. This form of anemia does not respond to iron supplements. Diagnosis of alpha thalassemia trait is usually done by exclusion of other causes of microcytic anemia. Confirmatory testing by DNA analysis is available but is not routinely done."

If it is alpha thalassaemia then there doesn't seem much that they can do. Most common treatment is daily folic acid. I would start with 400 mcg a day (buy them from a supermarket for good quality and low price).

[Advice1 in reply to fbirder]

Thank you for your generous help and the link which you've provided it is really so helpful to learn all about this condition.

And very nice to get the support

the community provides on here.

I will look into your suggestion of folic acid as i do lose some hair each day (more than the average person )but it does grow back.

I have mood swings and angry easily and can be hard to let go of the anger once i start ,tired ,night sweats and hard to sleep and mind is hard to relax trying to sleep sometimes and also feeling so hot in the evening when i go to bed i have to have a fan on even if it is cold evenings like now in the UK ,maybe this all related to Thalassemia trait.

Would it be an idea to get tested

for ferritin and folate B12 before trying Folic acid or would it make no difference to a blood test.

I appreciate your kindness and generous help and thank you for your time on all of this.

Good Luck.

[fbirder in reply to Advice1]

I would start on folic acid anyway. 400 ug a day isn't going to do anything bad, isn't too expensive and might well do some good.

Your mood problems could well be down to B12, so I would definitely get that tested. Don't be tempted to take any supplements with B12 in before testing as that will skew the result.

[Advice1 in reply to fbirder]

Thank you for your reply and explaining things i will get some folic Acid at 400 ug and will get tested for B12 from your helpful advice too.

You have been very helpful

Good Luck.

[Advice1]

thank you for your advice on folate and B12 i will look into this with the GP.

Thanks for your time.