Diseases » Alpha thalassemia major » Introduction

Alpha thalassemia major

Alpha thalassemia major: Introduction

Alpha thalassemia major: Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder characterized by abnormal synthesis of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin consists of two main protein chains called alpha and beta. Alpha thalassemia major is very rare involves defects in all of the four genes required to make each ? protein chain. The condition leads to infant death before or soon after birth. More detailed information about the symptoms, causes, and treatments of Alpha thalassemia major is available below.

Symptoms of Alpha thalassemia major

• Reduced red blood cell count
• Small red blood cell size
• Progressive anemia
• Failure to thrive - infants
• Feeding problems - infant
• more symptoms...»

See full list of 16 symptoms of Alpha thalassemia major

Treatments for Alpha thalassemia major

• Diagnosis during pregnancy means that the fetus can receive life-saving blood transfusions. Frequent life-long blood transfusion will be required. Removal (chelation) of iron buildup in body due to blood transfusion, folic acid supplements, surgical removal of spleen or stem cell transplant. Genetic counseling is recommended
• Folate supplementation as deficiency often occurs with high cell turnover
• Blood transfusion
  • Chronic transfusion in those with haemoglobin H disease
• Chelation therapy - to treat iron overload in patients requiring chronic transfusion
• more treatments...»

Read more about treatments for Alpha thalassemia major

Home Diagnostic Testing

Home medical testing related to Alpha thalassemia major:

• Fatigue: Related Home Tests:
  • Home Anemia Tests
  • Home Thyroid Gland Function Tests
  • Home Adrenal Gland Function Tests
  • Home Calcium Deficiency Tests
• more...»

Wrongly Diagnosed with Alpha thalassemia major?

• Misdiagnosis of Alpha thalassemia major
• Failure to diagnose Alpha thalassemia major
• Undiagnosed: Alpha thalassemia major

Alpha thalassemia major: Complications

Review possible medical complications related to Alpha thalassemia major:

• Facial bone deformities
• Gallstones
• Fetal death before birth
• Infant death soon after birth
• Delayed puberty
• Osteoporosis
• Iron overload
• more complications...»

Causes of Alpha thalassemia major

Read more about causes of Alpha thalassemia major.

Alpha thalassemia major: Undiagnosed Conditions

Commonly undiagnosed diseases in related medical categories:

• Fatigue Disorders -- serious diseases that may be undiagnosed:
  • Anemia -- Undiagnosed
  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome -- Undiagnosed
  • Fatigue -- Undiagnosed
  • Lyme Disease -- Undiagnosed
  • Thyroid Disease -- Undiagnosed
  • more ...»
• more undiagnosed conditions...»

Misdiagnosis and Alpha thalassemia major

Unnecessary hysterectomies due to undiagnosed bleeding disorder in women: The bleeding disorder called Von Willebrand's disease is quite common in women, but often...read more »

Vitamin B12 deficiency under-diagnosed: The condition of Vitamin B12 deficiency is a possible misdiagnosis of various conditions, such as multiple...read more »

Read more about Misdiagnosis and Alpha thalassemia major

Alpha thalassemia major: Research Doctors & Specialists

Research related physicians and medical specialists:

• Blood Health Specialists (Hematology):
  • Hematology (Blood Specialists)
  • Pediatric Hematology / Oncology (Child Cancer/Leukemia)
  • Hematopathology (Blood Diagnostics)
• more specialists...»

Other doctor, physician and specialist research services:

• Rate Your Doctor Online
• Research Your Doctor Online
• Review Patient Surveys About Your Doctor
• Research local specialists including ratings, affiliations, and sanctions.

Evidence Based Medicine Research for Alpha thalassemia major

Medical research articles related to Alpha thalassemia major include:

• Thalassemia, Alpha (Overview)
• Thalassemia, Alpha (Follow-up)
• Thalassemia, Alpha (Diagnosis)
• Thalassemia, Alpha (Treatment)
• more research...»

Click here to find more evidence-based articles on the TRIP Database

Alpha thalassemia major: Animations

More Alpha thalassemia major animations & videos

Prognosis for Alpha thalassemia major

Prognosis for Alpha thalassemia major: This condition is severe but appropriate management of the condition and it's complications as they arise can ensure survival.

More about prognosis of Alpha thalassemia major

Research about Alpha thalassemia major

Visit our research pages for current research about Alpha thalassemia major treatments.

Alpha thalassemia major: Broader Related Topics

• Blood conditions
• Genetic conditions
• Congenital conditions - blood disorders
• Congenital conditions
• more types...»

Types of Alpha thalassemia major

User Interactive Forums

Read about other experiences, ask a question about Alpha thalassemia major, or answer someone else's question, on our message boards:

• I can not get a diagnosis. Please help.
• Tell us your medical story.
• Share your misdiagnosis story.
• What is the best treatment for this?
• See all the forums.

 » Next page: What is Alpha thalassemia major?

Medical Tools & Articles:

Tools & Services:

• Bookmark this page
• Symptom Search
• Symptom Checker
• Medical Dictionary

Medical Articles:

• Disease & Treatments Search
• Misdiagnosis Center
• Full list of interesting articles

Forums & Message Boards

• Ask or answer a question at the Boards:
• I cannot get a diagnosis. Please help.
• Tell us your medical story.
• Share your misdiagnosis story.
• What is the best treatment for my condition?
• See all the Boards.

   

homepage | back to top

Search Specialists by State and City

Choose... GENERAL PRACTICE CARDIAC HEALTH WOMEN'S HEALTH CANCER CARE RADIOLOGY MENTAL HEALTH PATHOLOGY EAR, NOSE, THROAT MEDICINE GENETICS NEUROLOGY DIALYSIS CARE SURGERY ORTHOPEDICS/SPORTS MEDICINE CHILDREN'S HEALTH OTHER SPECIALTIES