Can Beta-Thalassemia Minor have symptoms?

[Bee Cham]

I am 22 years old and have been diagnosed with Beta Thallassemia minor by a doctor. All my life I have felt tired, had palpitations (When I was younger), flatulence and difficulty concentrating and fuzziness. I cannot really look people directly in the eye sometimes because its too hard on my eyes (it strains them) even though I have perfect vision. Doctors have told me that I need no treatment and that Thallassemia has no symtpoms. I go to sleep tired and I wake up tired. I can be tired after 12 hours sleep! Can I be suffering symptoms from my thallassemia. Does any one else feel the same way that I do? This is a little bit hard for me, but I don't want to complain.

[SilvestreChi]

It is worth investigating the Chinese approach in some depth as well as following the advice here about Folic acid etc. From a Chinese medical perspective thalassaemia trait is a bone marrow issue and there are strategies within the Chinese system to energise the chi - life force - in the bone marrow. I recommend finding a good acupuncturist (word of mouth), investigating Tai Chi and Chi Kung, especially Bone Marrow Washing Set. Also check out Agama Yoga, a taoist approach to using yoga to energise the body. Don't wait for conventional medicine to do anything about thal trait as there is no priority given to research in this area and you will be fobbed off with iron tablets that may not be appropriate for you.

[heer1108]

im so happy to be finding this here..im a BTM diagnosed since i was 16,i started feeling weak very easily in school till i had to stop all of my activities even gave up so many activities,and im still suffering til now,im 23.ive been to numerous doctors and they all tel me that thall trait isnt suppose to be causing these symtoms,i get migraines almost every week,get fevers so frequently,and towrds the end of the day i get so tired,that i can barely even lift my arm up ..and also,im very worried as sometimes i get these anemic attacks in episodes,where i get too weak till i need to go to a hospital to get infused wth fluid.im sick n tired of being sick,this is very much disturbing my daily activities..i wish i can get help...

[Chippilopez]

Thank you for sharing those stories, it is such a relief to know I am not alone. I can relate to a lot of those symptoms. I am 33, have always needed lots more sleep than the average bear and I find it very hard to go out at night and have fun with friends. I seem to catch every cold that is going around and do not recover for ages. Last year I was sick for 3 months. I have also suffered in and out of mild depression most of my adult life and I have often wondered whether it is the thalassemia. It is quite frustrating that doctors are dismissive or ignorant of what it is like to have it. I am lactose intolerant and vegetarian and would love some informed advice on diet. I have found a low GI diet has helped with tiredness. My twin sister and Nanna also have thyroid issues and thalassemia. I wonder if there is a link.

[Darkagent06]

Many of you are the most depressing people/group/ weaklings I have ever seen in my whole life. Thal minor has it's benefits. You all inherited this from ancestors whos body's evolved to fight the malaria disease which is why your red blood cells are oval shaped. You guys are all weak and lazy due to your weak mindedness about this so called disease.  Workout hard eat healthy and your body/ energy will reward you. Continue to moan and groan all day you will remain a weakling. Be happy you have eyes/ feet/ and arms. Be happy you wake up everyday from your sleep. This has taken a negative placebo effect on you all. Your mind is in your control, regain it or you won't have anything left.

[CJGAuthor]

Wow, nice job judging people, jerk. You don't know what it's like to walk in our shoes...and as for the benefit?  A bit outdated. There are many of us who try our hardest but still suffer. So, I'll kindly tell you to shove it.

[Aurora68]

I've read most of the posts.  I can't recall anyone commenting on the younger-than-we-are look, it's really true.  I am 44, I am an Interior Designer with a full service Wedding Business, I work 6 days a week and when I give my age when asked people are always amazed.  No one thinks am past 32, amazing, and I don't particularly take extremely good care of myself.  So thanks for the info.  

To the general community, I live in the Caribbean so am always tired but I have learnt to work around it.  When am tired I rest.  Unlike most of you my count hardly ever gets to 10 I maintain an 8/9.  Red wine or Brandy helps I don't know why but it does, so I indulge about twice a week.

I live and try to enjoy every day  am able to get out.  So happy to have found you guys.

[mommabull]

my grandmother was placed on iron infusion weekly for over a year and it ended up killing her of iron toxicity of the liver. She died a very painful death and we could not understand because they told us she had scerosis but she had never drank. It was not until I went to the same hemotologist and he tried to make me start the iron infusions and got very mad at me because I refused and made him send my for a transfusion. I then looked into what my grand mother had been recieveing. How can a blood specialist do this? He killed my grandmother and she died a horrible painful death.