You might have thalassaemia, an inherited blood disorder. Find out more with this 2-minute read.
What is thalassaemia?
Thalassaemia is an inherited blood disorder that causes your body to have less haemoglobin and red blood cells. This often leads to anaemia. Thalassemia is the most common genetic condition in Singapore, affecting about 5% of the population.
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms may vary according to the type of thalassemia one is suffering from, including the following:
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Jaundice
- Growth problems
- Enlarged organs
What are the treatment options?
The severity of thalassemia varies, depending on the number of gene mutations. For very mild cases, treatment may not be necessary and you can still lead a good quality of life. However, for those with a serious form of the disorder they will require regular blood transfusions or even a bone marrow transplant.
If you or a loved one experience one or more of the above symptoms and would like a professional medical consultation, call our medical concierge today at +65 6679 7867 or email us at customercare@tmcg.com.sg
References:
- http://www.healthxchange.com.sg/healthyliving/SpecialFocus/Pages/5-Health-Conditions-Singaporeans-Are-Especially-at-Risk-of-Having.aspx
- http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Thalassaemia/Pages/Introduction.aspx
- http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/263489.php