Understanding Mediterranean Anemia: Testing and Costs Explained
Questions related to testing for Mediterranean anemia!! I previously underwent a health check-up, and the results showed a series of abnormal blood test results. Upon re-examination, the results remained the same. Here are the relevant test data: [1] WBC 7.34 (Eosin 1.2) [2] RBC ...
Dr. Tang Jieru Reply:
Hello SuNNy: You have a high possibility of having mild thalassemia (formerly known as Mediterranean anemia). I suspect that you usually do not have any symptoms, and this was likely discovered during routine check-ups or health examinations. The main concern is that your mean co...[Read More] Understanding Mediterranean Anemia: Testing and Costs Explained
Understanding Atrial Tachycardia and Its Implications for Blood Donation
Atrial tachycardia... Beta-thalassemia... Myelodysplastic syndrome? Hello, 1. Atrial tachycardia refers to an irregular heartbeat. It is important to monitor your heart rate and rhythm regularly. You should consult a healthcare provider for further evaluation, which may include...
Dr. Chen Guifeng Reply:
Atrial tachycardia is a type of arrhythmia and can be evaluated in a cardiology clinic. Mediterranean anemia requires consultation in a hematology clinic. Aplastic anemia is a type of blood disorder, so please seek care in a hematology clinic.[Read More] Understanding Atrial Tachycardia and Its Implications for Blood Donation
Understanding Possible Genetic Anemia: Symptoms and Next Steps
Is it hereditary anemia? Hello Doctor, I would like to ask you about my health. During my school entrance physical examination, my complete blood count showed the following results: Red Blood Cell count (RBC): 396, Hemoglobin (HGB): 12.3, Hematocrit (HCT): 36.5, Mean Corpuscular ...
Dr. Tang Jieru Reply:
Hello: Your test results look very healthy, congratulations. There is some latent thalassemia (such as alpha thalassemia), which may show completely normal in a routine blood test. However, it does not have any impact on your health. I am not familiar with military service issues...[Read More] Understanding Possible Genetic Anemia: Symptoms and Next Steps
Understanding Mediterranean Anemia: MCV Changes and Health Impacts
Mediterranean anemia (also known as thalassemia) Could the MCV value change due to age or changes in physical health? I often experience brief dizziness and a white-out effect in my vision after squatting for a long time and then standing up. Could this be a sign of thalassemia? ...
Dr. Zhong Yuxun Reply:
Hello, A-Zheng: MCV (Mean Corpuscular Volume) is related to changes in body health. When a person squats for a long time and then stands up, they may experience brief dizziness, which can be more pronounced if they stand up quickly. This occurs because prolonged squatting causes ...[Read More] Understanding Mediterranean Anemia: MCV Changes and Health Impacts
Understanding Chest Pain and Rapid Heartbeat in Thalassemia Patients
Thank you for your hard work! Hello Doctor, I have thalassemia and recently I've been experiencing unexplained chest pain and a rapid heartbeat, although my measurements do not indicate any issues at those times. My body also shakes involuntarily, and I often feel dizzy and ...
Dr. Zhong Yuxun Reply:
Hello Ms. Li: There are mild and severe forms of thalassemia; at 17 years old, you are likely to have the mild type, which generally has less impact on the heart. Since you are experiencing chest pain, palpitations, and dizziness, you should consult an internist or cardiologist f...[Read More] Understanding Chest Pain and Rapid Heartbeat in Thalassemia Patients
Understanding Blood Transfusion: Uses, Treatment Outcomes, and Prevention
Blood transfusion Blood transfusion is used for the treatment of various diseases, including severe anemia, certain blood disorders like thalassemia or sickle cell disease, and in cases of significant blood loss due to trauma or surgery. Whether a patient can achieve complete rec...
Dr. Tang Jieru Reply:
Hello Vicky: Your question is a bit vague, and I'm not quite sure what you're asking. Could you please elaborate on your situation? If you are referring to bone marrow transplantation, that pertains to hematological diseases. If the immune disorder is congenital, it can...[Read More] Understanding Blood Transfusion: Uses, Treatment Outcomes, and Prevention
Understanding the Differences Between Anemia and Thalassemia: Key Insights
What is the difference between anemia and thalassemia? Is Mediterranean anemia a specific type of anemia? In other words, not all anemic patients have Mediterranean anemia, but Mediterranean anemia is always classified as anemia, correct? I often experience brief dizziness after ...
Dr. Tang Jieru Reply:
Hello Barkleyfans: There are many types of anemia, such as iron deficiency anemia, megaloblastic anemia, and folate deficiency anemia, among others. Thalassemia (formerly known as Mediterranean anemia) is just one type of anemia. Based on the symptoms you described, it is indeed ...[Read More] Understanding the Differences Between Anemia and Thalassemia: Key Insights
Managing Mediterranean Anemia: Safe Weight Loss Tips and Blood Health
Beta-thalassemia Dear Doctor: I have thalassemia with a hemoglobin level of 11.2. I am somewhat overweight and would like to lose weight. If I start dieting and only drink a lot of water, will this cause my hemoglobin levels to drop? Is there a safe duration for dieting that woul...
Dr. Tang Jieru Reply:
Hello Ada: Will drinking a large amount of water cause my hemoglobin levels to drop? → No, because your body will compensate. Drinking water does not cause anemia. I often feel dizzy. → Your hemoglobin level is 11.2, which is within an acceptable range, so the dizziness is likely...[Read More] Managing Mediterranean Anemia: Safe Weight Loss Tips and Blood Health
Understanding Low MCV Levels: When to Seek Further Medical Evaluation
The value of Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV)? Hello Doctor, I underwent a military conscription examination at National Taiwan University Hospital Yunlin Branch in mid-April this year. The report indicated that my Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) is 65.9 fL. Should I undergo further t...
Dr. Zhou Wenjian Reply:
Yes, I believe you have thalassemia, and it is advisable to perform hemoglobin electrophoresis for confirmation.[Read More] Understanding Low MCV Levels: When to Seek Further Medical Evaluation
Understanding Thalassemia and Hepatitis B: Dietary and Health Guidance
Mild congenital hereditary alpha-thalassemia? Hello, doctor. I have a few questions: 1. I have mild congenital hereditary type A Mediterranean anemia, with a hemoglobin level of 12.1. This was discovered during a physical examination when I was enlisted in the military. I have ...
Dr. Tang Jieru Reply:
Hello: Thalassemia, formerly known as Mediterranean anemia, is a problem caused by a congenital genetic defect. Individuals with mild forms have red blood cells that are smaller than normal, but their quantity and function are normal. Therefore, it is usually only discovered inci...[Read More] Understanding Thalassemia and Hepatitis B: Dietary and Health Guidance
Understanding Mediterranean Anemia: Treatment, Blood Transfusions, and Genetic Factors
Could you please provide more specific information or questions regarding anemia? Is it true that there are treatment methods for thalassemia, and can it be treated with someone else's bone marrow, or does it have to be from a sibling? When a patient needs a blood transfusio...
Dr. Zhou Wenjian Reply:
Is it true that one can use someone else's bone marrow, or should it be from siblings? Answer: The cure for Mediterranean anemia in Chongqing is bone marrow stem cell transplantation, with siblings being the preferred donors due to fewer side effects. Generally, those with m...[Read More] Understanding Mediterranean Anemia: Treatment, Blood Transfusions, and Genetic Factors
Managing Mild Thalassemia: Tips for Improving Your Blood Health
Mild Mediterranean anemia I went to a large hospital for an examination, and the doctor said I might have mild thalassemia, which will not affect my hematopoietic function. No one in my family has anemia. If there is no genetic factor, what should I do or eat to raise my mean cor...
Dr. Tang Jieru Reply:
Hello William: 1. Thalassemia is inherited, which means one of your parents carries this gene. Since there are no symptoms, they may remain unaware of it throughout their lives, just as you were previously unaware that you have mild thalassemia. 2. MCV refers to the size of r...[Read More] Managing Mild Thalassemia: Tips for Improving Your Blood Health
Finding Relief: Managing Mediterranean Anemia and Depression Symptoms
Please help me? Hello, I have been feeling unwell for over three years and it's been very painful. I have consulted traditional Chinese medicine, psychiatry, and internal medicine, but there has been no improvement. I don't understand why nothing has worked. Could you p...
Dr. Tang Jieru Reply:
Kenny: Your issue is more related to psychiatry and not related to oceanic anemia. Psychiatric problems cannot be resolved in just one visit; I recommend finding a trusted physician for ongoing follow-up. I believe it can be resolved. Best wishes![Read More] Finding Relief: Managing Mediterranean Anemia and Depression Symptoms
Understanding Mediterranean Anemia: MCV Levels and Symptoms Explained
Mediterranean anemia Hello, I would like to ask whether patients with thalassemia should always have an MCV value that is lower than normal. In other words, is it impossible for them to have normal values? I have undergone health checks during my student years and employment, and...
Dr. Tang Jieru Reply:
Hello Ms. LKK: Anemia refers to low hemoglobin levels, indicating a deficiency in "quantity"; whereas MCV refers to the size of red blood cells, indicating a "quality" issue. In thalassemia (also known as Mediterranean anemia), the size of the red blood cells ...[Read More] Understanding Mediterranean Anemia: MCV Levels and Symptoms Explained
Managing Mediterranean Anemia: Dietary Tips and Treatment Options
Treatment of Mediterranean anemia? Hello, doctor. My hemoglobin level is generally around 10, sometimes dropping to 9. Blood tests indicate that I have thalassemia, but my levels can easily drop to 7 or 8 (I have previously required a blood transfusion of 1500cc when it was as lo...
Dr. Tang Jieru Reply:
Hello, Ms. Hsu: Mild thalassemia only causes a decrease in red blood cell size (MCV < 80), while hemoglobin (HgB) remains normal, and red blood cell function is completely normal. It would not drop below 10 as you described. In contrast, severe thalassemia presents with serio...[Read More] Managing Mediterranean Anemia: Dietary Tips and Treatment Options
Can Couples with Thalassemia Get Married? Understanding the Risks and Options
Mediterranean anemia I understand that both you and your girlfriend have thalassemia, but you really like her and don't want to let this condition determine your future together. Since both of you have mild forms of the condition, but are unsure whether you have alpha or bet...
Dr. Chen Bairong Reply:
(Answered by Dr. Jiang-Ru Tang from Hualien Hospital) Hello, Xiao Fei: 1. To differentiate between alpha or beta thalassemia (formerly known as Mediterranean anemia), a serum electrophoresis test can be performed. 2. If both parents are carriers of the mild form, there is a 1 in ...[Read More] Can Couples with Thalassemia Get Married? Understanding the Risks and Options
Bone Marrow Transplant for Severe Thalassemia: A Guide for Families
Severe Mediterranean anemia (also known as severe beta-thalassemia)? I have a 9-year-old niece from Hong Kong who is suffering from severe thalassemia and requires blood transfusions every month. The doctors in Hong Kong have suggested a bone marrow transplant, but the regulation...
Dr. Tang Jieru Reply:
Hello Ms. IRIS: Severe thalassemia (formerly known as Mediterranean anemia) is indeed a troublesome disease. Children usually require lifelong blood transfusions to grow, but later on, they may need chelation therapy due to iron overload damaging various organs. The cost of chela...[Read More] Bone Marrow Transplant for Severe Thalassemia: A Guide for Families