Thalassemia Patients and Friends

Discussion Forums => Thalassemia Minor => Topic started by: kitkat on March 16, 2013, 06:08:21 PM

Title: Need help with fatigue: do my vitamins and blood work look ok?
Post by: kitkat on March 16, 2013, 06:08:21 PM

My doctor said my blood work is consistent with beta thal minor.

WBC 5.7
RBC 5.51
Hemoglobin 10.3
Hematocrit 33.1
MCV 60
MCH 18.7
MCHC 31.1
RDW 18.5
Hgb F 1.7
Hgb A 93.2
Hgb A2 5.1

Iron serum 66 ng/ml
Vitamin D 34

Just started the following supplements based on advice I saw on this forum:

Vitamin E 400 IU
Vitamin D 5000 IU
Folic acid 400 mcg
Vitamin B complex (don't remember the amounts, but it was like 1000%)
Zinc 50 mg
CoQ10 200mg
Wheatgrass tablets
Magnesium 100mg

Is there anything else I can be doing? I exercise when I have time, which usually ends up being 1-2x per week. I got my vitamin D up from 28 to 34 over the course of a year, and recently doubled my dose since it was moving so slowly. My worst symptom is fatigue, I could sleep all the time if I let myself. I don't want to be a couch potato anymore!

Title: Re: Need help with fatigue: do my vitamins and blood work look ok?
Post by: Berlian on March 17, 2013, 12:41:54 AM

The results of a complete blood
check yours almost exactly like
me. I am currently having
symptoms of anemia. Are you
well? And about your vitamin
intake, I thought it was very
good. All components have a
high dose. But your folic acid look not good enough. Folic acid is
actually the most important
component for patients with
thalassemia minor. Minimum of 1
mg per day or 1000 mcg. Hope
this information helps!

Title: Re: Need help with fatigue: do my vitamins and blood work look ok?
Post by: Pratik on March 17, 2013, 05:11:27 AM

Do you take calcium? If so, keep calcium:magnesium ration 1:2 respectively. For example, if you take 500mg calcium daily, take 250mg magnesium.

-P.

Title: Re: Need help with fatigue: do my vitamins and blood work look ok?
Post by: Andy Battaglia on March 17, 2013, 02:34:06 PM

For thal minors, I also suggest 500-1000 mg vitamin C daily. It is essential for so many things, and is extremely important for circulatory health, which can help reduce numbness in the extremities.

Title: Re: Need help with fatigue: do my vitamins and blood work look ok?
Post by: kitkat on March 18, 2013, 12:20:44 AM

I forgot to mention calcium, I take that too. I take Natural Calm plus Calcium, half a packet a day (http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=289854&catid=183274&aid=338666&aparam=goobase_filler (http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=289854&catid=183274&aid=338666&aparam=goobase_filler))

So I guess all I need to do right now is increase my folic acid and add some vitamin C. Thanks!