


Ask your GP for a blood test “for haemoglobin disorders”.





People with beta thalassaemia trait will usually experience no health problems other than a mild anaemia. You may have beta/alpha thalassaemia trait and not know it.




I have thalassaemia minor. Should I be taking iron supplements?

A doctor may recommend to someone to take iron supplements when their iron levels are low. For people who have thalassaemia minor, it is very important that they take iron supplements under their doctor’s supervision, ONLY when their iron levels are very low, as iron supplements do not correct thalassaemia minor and may possibly cause complications.








Could you please explain the differences with each form of thalassaemia

There are two main types of thalassaemia based on which part of the haemoglobin is affected, and two types of thalassaemia based on severity of symptoms.

“Thalassaemia major” is the severe form of thalassaemia and is associated with symptoms and requires treatment, such as regular blood transfusions and iron chelation therapy. People with “Thalassaemia minor” who are also known as “carriers” of thalassaemia, can expect to be healthy and symptomatic.

To explain it better, “Thalassaemia major” is a condition where a person’s haemoglobin (the oxygen carrying molecule on red blood cells) is unable to form properly. The defect may lie with either of two components of the haemoglobin, the Alpha-globin and the Beta-globin.

When the beta-globin is defective, the condition is known as Beta-Thalassaemia (major) whilst Alpha-Thalassaemia (major) occurs when the alpha-globin is defective.

Alpha-thalassaemia and beta-thalassaemia (major) present with virtually the same symptoms and patients with either thalassaemia undertake the same treatment.



In areas where malaria is common, carriers of haemoglobin conditions have a survival advantage. They are less likely than their counterparts to contract malaria and thus more likely to survive and to reproduce. When they have children, they have a 1 in 2 (50%) chance with each child of passing on the gene for the haemoglobin condition. Their children may then pass down the gene to their children; their grandchildren may pass down the gene …etc. Thus the gene increases in frequency in the population over time. This is termed ‘selective advantage’ or ‘heterozygote advantage’.

How can your community support patients with thalassaemia and other haemoglobinopathies?

Be informed and make informed choices for yourself and your family.


Support T.A.S.C. Australia’s blood donors campaign and give blood or encourage those you know to give blood….as T.A.S.C. Australia aims to make every drop count!

What is Haemoglobin H disease, and what medications or products should one avoid?

In simple terms, Haemoglobin H disease (HbH) is a form of alpha thalassaemia in which moderately severe anaemia develops due to reduced formation of alpha globin chains. In this condition, as in the other forms of thalassaemia, there is an imbalance of globin chains needed to form haemoglobin.

The medical literature suggests that the following medications and products cited further on, may cause problems for people with Haemoglobin H disease. However, no studies have been conducted to prove that these substances are actually harmful for people with Haemoglobin H disease.

In an effort to avoid haemolytic episodes that cause the destruction of red blood cells and lower the haemoglobin level suddenly, it is suggested that the following be avoided. Any type of chemical fumes can be added to this list as to be avoided.


Fava beans, known as favism (some people report problems with other beans and legumes, such as peanuts). If prone to sudden drops in haemoglobin, try keeping a food diary to see if certain foods may be causing haemolysis, the destruction of red blood cells. In general, similar chemical fumes can pose a haemolysis risk in some people. There is some anecdotal evidence about chemical fragrances from daily life setting off haemolysis. Fabric softener dryer sheets were mentioned, but again, if haemaglobin suddenly drops, review if there has been any food, drug or chemical exposure that may have set it off.


TASC Australia has been informed that cigarette smoke can also be a factor that can suddenly reduce the haemaglobin level in alpha thalassaemics. As always, observation of exposures once you have a haemolytic crisis will tell you what you need to avoid. The following list is a sample of items that people affected by Haemaglobin H disease, as well as others affected by thalassaemias and sickle cell anaemia should avoid:


  • Sulfa Drugs
  • Sulfacetamide (eye drops)
  • Sulfapyridine
  • Salfasalazine (Salicylazosulfapyridine)
  • Sulfanilamide
  • Dapsone
  • Analgesics
  • Aspirin (acetaminophen is safe as alternative)
  • Phenacetin
  • Acetanilide
  • Antimalarials
  • Primaquine
  • Chloroquine
  • Hydroxychloroquine sulfate
  • Tuberculosis Drugs
  • Isoniazid
  • Rifampin
  • Folic Acid Antagonists
  • Pyrimethamine
  • Other Antibacterials
  • Nalidixic acid (Negram)
  • Nitrofurantoins
  • Furazolidone
  • Chloramphenicol
  • Beta-amniosalicylic acid
  • Ciprofloxacin
  • Doxycycline


Other Items to take note of and be wary of include:

  • Iron supplements (- Unless laboratory-proven iron deficiency.)
  • Vitamin K analogues
  • Quinidine gluconate
  • Phenazopyridine (pyridium)
  • Toluidine Blue (a dye)
  • Methylene Blue (a dye)
  • Naphthalene (mothballs)

If I have Sickle Cell Anaemia and I am low in vitamin C, can I take vitamin C supplements to correct this problem, or will it cause other medical issues?

Sickle Cell and other Thalassaemias can have serious side effects from taking vitamin C. Always check with your haematologist before taking supplements, certain foods, and medications. People with sickle cell anaemia, as well as people with a metabolic disorder called G6PD, can potentially have serious side-effects from taking high levels of vitamin C. Thalassaemia and Hemochromatosis patients could be negatively affected by increased iron absorption, which may occur from vitamin C supplementation causing serious issues with iron overload and can lead to kidney failure and gastrointestinal diseases.

It is also worth noting, that those with diabetes (which is quite common amongst thalassaemics):
Vitamin C may raise blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. In older women with diabetes, doses of vitamin C above 300 mg per day were associated with an increased risk of death from heart disease.