Thalassemia Patients and Friends
Discussion Forums => Thalassemia Intermedia => Topic started by: sn196 on February 22, 2011, 10:44:17 PM
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Hi All,
I havent posted on this site for ages. Last time i posted was before our first baby as we didnt know if my wife was a carrier when pregnant.
Recently i have been feeling really tired and looking very pale, even after a good nights sleep. I have been for blood tests but my GP doest know much about HbH to advise.
Im just wondering if someone could recommend supplements that can help perk me up.
It seems from the forum that Vitamin C is good and Folic Acid, which i take (when i remember to do so).
Can anyone advise if L-Arginine is BAD to take with my blood condition?
Any advise would be much appreciated.
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L-arginine is safe and is often recommended for thals because it helps to fix nitric oxide which helps the circulatory system work better. I usually recommend that or L-carnitine. I would also suggest getting your vitamin D level checked. It's the most common deficiency and causes tiredness, a weakened immune system and even depression. The level should be a minimum of 35.
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Thanks andy.
Will the L-argenine help with the tiredness and paleness? Or is that part and parcel of thal?
I went for a full blood count today so will post the deficiencies if that's ok so that you can recommend what could make me feel better.
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Hi,
If your hb is low,that can be a reason of your tiredness,but as Andy said,you should get your D levels checked,as low D levels can lead to daily tiredness and fatigue,i am a thal minor,and my D level was wayyyyyyyyyy low,i was prescribed Vitamin D injections and i still take Vitamin D as a supplement.
Folic acid and a good B Complex would help too.and if you can,try wheat grass.
Zaini.
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I will receive my results next week.
I have already bought some l-argenene and have folic acid. Would it be safe to take these 2 with Vitamin D as a supplement, a good B Complex and some wheat grass?
Thanks
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Yes, they're all safe together.
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My I suggest one other supplement?? Try B12... it helps with energy and blood cell formation. :D
Personally, i dont find Folic acid does anything... Ive been taking it since I was 8... Im sure it helps me - but I dont find any great benefits, that I notice
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Hi all, just a quick update. I have been taking folic acid and L-arginine everyday and its made a nice difference. I'm no longer looking pale everyday (only if I've had a very late night) and has only slightly helped with the energy side of things. Would adding L-carnitine do any harm??
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You can add L-carntine but it might be better to add L-lysine since you're already taking L-arginine.
The oxidative stresses of thalassemia deplete nitric oxide levels and this group can help to fix NO in the body. Long term, this helps to also maintain the elasticity and flexibility of blood vessels, allowing them to work properly to move blood throughout the body. HbH is similar to beta intermedia and pulmonary hypertension (PHT) is often a problem as patients get older. In PHT, the artery between the heart and lungs loses flexibility, reducing its functionality and raising the pressure in that artery, putting stress on the heart. This is a danger to thals as they age. Maintaining the circulatory system in optimum condition should be a long term goal for all thals. I have noted often that the symptoms reported by thal minors are also symptoms of mild PHT, so I feel all thals can benefit from using foods and supplements that encourage the production of nitric oxide in the body.
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Andy im going to try and add some muscle mass. I am still taking the l-argenine and folic acid but which of l-carntine or l-lysine would be more benefitial to muscle mass and the tierdness/paleness?
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Me again... I started to see great results from the l-argenene and folic acid combination but im now back to stage 1. Looking very pale and constantly tired.
I need to add to these 2 but not sure what to add..... As been suggested above there are a number of choices including vitamin d, l-lysine, wheat grass, b12..
Please could someone advise which of the above should be my next purchase? Unless you advise to take them all then ill have to get all. I really need to a boosted as it's affecting me at work.
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Has your vitamin D level been checked? It may be that the amount you are taking is not high enough. (I take 5000 IU daily and that keeps me just above the minimum level of 35).
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Andy, i havent had a blood test for a year or so. Would you suggest that i do?
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Get your D level checked again.
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Hey I'm back....
So it's started again. I'm feeling weak, tired, pale, tingly, clammy.
I'm taking my supplement daily:
B complex
Folic Acid
L-argenine
L-lysene
Any recommendations of what could help me. I'm fed up of people commenting on how pale and tired I look.
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I'm fed up of people commenting on how pale and tired I look.
You are not the only one. If I'd sit in a wheelchair, everyone would treat me with kid gloves. With thalassemia, the only thing you are going to hear is stuff like "I'd recommend you to sleep some more", "Are you sleeping?" or what you mentioned. Not only do the physical factors like constant fatigue cause depressions in me, but also the comments you have to hear all the time. They are the totally unnecessary mental factor people like us really don't need on top of the physical ones...
You should probably do a blood check, like Andy advised. As for me personally, I don't think blood checks and I will ever be friends in life. It's just that I always get near-unconscious during a blood extraction. It happened one time that I lost consciousness. I don't know why. I'm fine with stuff like vaccinations or anaesthetic injections.
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I would suggest adding vitamin D. I take 5000-10,000 IU daily and the difference in my health is noticeable. I tried 2000 IU daily for two years with no real effect. During winter, I aim for 10,000 IU now. Far fewer colds, milder allergies and asthma and far less depression and less fatigue. I also suggest natural vitamin E. It's a superb antioxidant, which is extremely important when your blood turnover rate is higher than normal, as in thalassemia.
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I think you once mentioned that in order to increase one's vitamin D levels, a person has to take high dosages of it. But for how long? I know it would be best to do blood checks to find out my level, but I'm just so scared. I'd rather try to live healthy first (with all supplements that might help me, more exercise, etc.) and then do a blood check to see if there are still any problems. I think if I do it now, it will probably only tell me that I'm lacking a lot, which doesn't help so much.
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I've taken my dose daily for years on doctor's orders. You always have the need for D. It is the most essential nutrient.
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1 x l-argenine 500 ug
1 x Folic Acid 400 ug
1 x B-Complex and B12 - Vit B1 - 7 mg, Vit B2 14mg, Niacin 4.5mg, Vit B12 - 25ug, Papain 10mg, Brewers Yeast 50mg
1 x Vitamin D3 - 2200IU
1 x l-lysene 500mg
The above are the dosages i take daily in the morning.
Am i taking too much or less than i require?
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I also have a blood test in 3 weeks.