Thalassemia Patients and Friends
Discussion Forums => Thalassemia Minor => Topic started by: Cedar on January 05, 2019, 02:27:52 AM
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Hello everyone;
I have used this site for information ever since my blood test came back
indicating Thalassemia trait. I am 72 now and only found out about this
in 2012. I have lead a pretty active life and never suspected i might be
affected. In retrospect I did exhibit signs but never new why. In the last
10 years my ability to work has diminished greatly.
I bought a oxygen saturation meter and was surprised to see that the
meter showed normal even while I was breathing heavily.
Is this what others have found? Does the meter not really indicate properly
for our condition?
Really curious about this.
Thanks
Peter
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Hi Peter, what is your hemoglobin level?
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Hi Andy;
Last test results:
Hemoglobin 152..normal(?)
MCV 71..low
MCH 22.9...low
MCHC 32.3..low
RDW 16.6...high
RBC 6.65...high
Microcytosis +2
Hypochroma +2
It was suggested that I have Alpha type. I take the supplements
suggested by you and others on this site and do what I am able.
I am ,as far as I know from a very English back ground which has been
curious to me.
Thank you to you and the other members here for your care and
information.
Peter
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Your Hb is normal, so I would not expect your oxygen saturation to be lower than normal.
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Thank you Andy for your reply .
So if I understand correctly the red blood cells are
moving there full load of oxygen through the body, but because
they are smaller the total available oxygen for muscles is less and
therefor the muscles go into fatigue faster.
I am trying to understand why my ability to work as diminished so much.
Any insight into this is greatly appreciated.
Peter
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The oxygen is there, as demonstrated by your Hb level, but is your blood circulating as freely through the body as it should? The answer in thals is usually no. There are a couple of things that restrict blood flow, especially through the smaller blood vessels. In addition to the good red blood cells you produce, you also produce a significant number of defective red blood cells. There are also changes to the blood vessels, themselves which can reduce the flow of blood. The production and breakdown of red blood cells produce "debris" in the blood that interferes with the passage of blood through the smaller blood vessels. The end result is circulation is not what it should be, even though the Hb level is normal.
What can be done to help and create a better blood flow?
Natural vitamin E is a mild blood thinner and powerful antioxidant. The antioxidant effects reduce the problems caused by the oxidative effects of the debris and help the blood flow.
Vitamin C will help build stronger blood vessels and is very important to capillary health.
L-carnitine will help to fix nitric oxide, NO which is depleted by the oxidation that takes place in thals. Nitric oxide is essential to keep blood vessels elastic and flexible. This helps the blood flow and takes stress off the heart, which has to work harder to push blood through the circulatory system when the blood vessels become less elastic. This is one of the most important things a thal can take. Much of the tiredness that thals experience is related to the loss of elasticity in the circulatory system, especially as they age.
Keep in mind, that correcting nutrient deficiencies and improving the health of the circulatory system take time.
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Andy;
Thank you so much for explaining this correlation so clearly.
I'm sure this will be very helpful to others trying to
understand the interplay of fatigue , aging and the use
of supplements to help compensate for this condition.
Thank you
Peter