Thalassemia Patients and Friends

Discussion Forums => Thalassemia Minor => Topic started by: texas_thal on November 21, 2013, 07:18:42 AM

Title: Cooking pans for Thal minor
Post by: texas_thal on November 21, 2013, 07:18:42 AM

Hello everyone,

My 2-yr old son is B-thal minor. We are considering changing cooking pans in our home. From my research, cast iron is a very good choice. Specially from the perspective of low toxicity. But cast iron can leach some iron into our foods.

How much of that is a concern for Thal minors ? I've heard that good quality enameled pans (for eg: Le Creuset) might not leach iron. But I still want to be sure.

His iron test back in April 2013 has following results:
  Ferritin  8  (Normal range: 7-150)
  Iron, Serum         99  (Normal range: 20-158)
  Unsaturated IBC  320 (Normal range: 155-300)
  Calculated Total IBC 419 (Normal range: 250-450)
  Calculated % Iron Sat  24 (Normal range: 20-50)

Thanks!

Title: Re: Cooking pans for Thal minor
Post by: Andy Battaglia on November 21, 2013, 03:12:13 PM

Iron from cookware is of no concern to thal minors. In general, minors don't have to avoid iron in foods. I suggest avoiding iron supplements, but the trace amounts in cookware are not any issue.

Title: Re: Cooking pans for Thal minor
Post by: texas_thal on November 21, 2013, 04:17:09 PM

Thanks so much, Andy.

One more question : how are his iron levels looking to you ? He is not lethargic at all.

Title: Re: Cooking pans for Thal minor
Post by: Andy Battaglia on November 21, 2013, 04:30:38 PM

His iron is on the low end of normal. Cast iron would probably be a good idea.

Title: Re: Cooking pans for Thal minor
Post by: sumit_thal on December 28, 2013, 05:25:20 AM

Hi Andy,

I have one more question - my son in b-thal minor. How do I know if he has hemolytic anemia ?

Thanks!!

Title: Re: Cooking pans for Thal minor
Post by: Andy Battaglia on December 28, 2013, 04:51:27 PM

Hemolysis is normal in beta minor, as there is a higher than normal turnover of red blood cells, as the small, pale RBC's are removed by the spleen. Evidence of this is seen in the reticulocyte count which is usually elevated in thal minor.

Title: Re: Cooking pans for Thal minor
Post by: texas_thal on December 28, 2013, 06:54:43 PM

Thanks Andy!!

With hemolysis common in thal minor, does this mean that "hemolysis anemia" is present ? The reason why I'm asking this is because we want to do a treatment for my son. The treatment is not recommended if "hemolysis anemia" is present.

Title: Re: Cooking pans for Thal minor
Post by: Andy Battaglia on December 28, 2013, 07:14:03 PM

He will always have hemolysis because the body will filter out the defective RBC's. Now this is not the typical hemolytic anemia that is caused by outside influences like certain drugs and chemical fumes, so he can probably take the treatment. If you want to tell me more about the treatment, I can give you my opinion on whether it is safe to proceed.

Title: Re: Cooking pans for Thal minor
Post by: texas_thal on January 02, 2014, 03:33:29 PM

Hi Andy,

Thanks for all your answers. You had mentioned that Hemolysis causes the enlarged spleen often seen in thal minor. Is there a way to check his spleen at home ?

Thanks!!