What does thalassemia have to do with gout?
Thalassemia is a group of blood disorders that are genetically inherited which seriously constricts the body’s ability to produce hemoglobin, a protein that carries the oxygen we breathe throughout our lungs and entire body. In addition, thalassemia patients have a lower than average count of red blood cells in their body, the red blood cells usually being too small in size. Hemoglobin is made from bone marrow by using the iron that our body takes from our food in order to create the hemoglobin. So the bone marrow from thalassemia sufferers does not produce enough hemoglobin or red blood cells for that matter and this causes anemia and fatigue since the body is deprived of oxygen. People who suffer from mild thalassemia like myself may not require any treatment whatsoever. If it’s severe thalassemia, the patient will usually require blood transfusions to replenish hemoglobin and red blood cells. Exercise and diet does help deal with the symptoms of thalassemia, especially fatigue.
