Health Information Center – CedrikaProvencher

Iron taken into the body that can be produced from food or blood transfusion is often done. Thalassaemia patients at high risk of experiencing these iron deposits.

Prof. DR. Iskandar Wahidiyat, Sp.A (K), Thalassaemia expert FKUI / RSCM said Thalassaemia is a blood disease caused by a lack of production of hemoglobin (red blood cells) caused by the disruption in the chain formation process due to damage to blood cells in the body’s genes.

When someone is having Thalassaemia, they do not have enough healthy blood cells to carry oxygen and nutrients to all parts of the body. That’s why they need additional blood transfusions way. Blood transfusions to help them stay healthy by providing blood supply into the body.

When someone does a transfusion, in each bag of blood into the body there are about 200-250mg of iron. In certain amount of this iron will not damage the body, but will help the growth and also regulates hormones, because the body still has a defense that will bind this iron so as not to damage body tissue. This iron will be bound in a single unit called ferritin.

This will release ferritin-iron substances when our bodies need it. Ferritin acts as a shield to prevent the buildup of iron in the body, for example when we feel tired ferritin will release some of his cell to help become strong again. But, when the iron in the body too much, so ferritin can no longer regulate the release of the cell, and there was iron overload or iron excess.

Excess iron can be felt symptoms. Who would feel if someone has excess iron is felt weak, lost weight, bone joints and muscles ached. Iron overload does not cause a person to feel pain, but it will cause the vital organs damaged.

Someone will have iron overload or excess iron after a transfusion of at least 10 times continuously. While people who have anemia or transfusion Thalassaemia must do a minimum of 45 bags of blood a year, and will absorb more iron iron around 9g.

When a person is often a blood transfusion, then the iron will precipitate out of the body parts of some.
Parts of the body will store the excess iron that is:
The heart, an important organ that functions to pump blood around the body.
Heart, large organ that helps to digest the nutrients and neutralize toxins in the blood.
The pancreas, an organ in charge of the body to produce hormones that help digest food.
Thyroid gland, one gland in the body that produce hormones that affect the organs, tissues and cells in the body, such as controlling heart rate, weight, body temperature, energy levels, muscle strength and menstrual regulation.
Pituitary gland, one gland in the body that helps control the body of some processes such as growth control, blood pressure control, control of reproductive functions of men and women and others.
Excess iron can precipitate out in the body tissues, can lead to no operation of these parts. Suppose that iron is accumulated in the heart of someone, then he will be damaged heart tissue. Excess iron is if not addressed, could lead to death. Thus, iron overload or excess iron is very dangerous.