Thalasemia Patients Prohibited from Taking Iron Supplements – Why

Comprehensive lifestyle management and treatment for thalasemia patients is essential to prevent the worsening of this genetic disorder causing chronic anaemia. Dr Dewi Paramita, a Pathology Specialist at RSJD Atma Husada East Kalimantan, stressed the importance of proper management to avoid vital organ damage.

Dr Paramita explained that thalasemia results from damage to chromosomes 11 and 16, hindering globin protein production. This causes red blood cells to become smaller, fragile, and prone to breaking as they pass through blood vessels.

“Thalasemia patients are strictly prohibited from taking iron supplements, as repeated transfusions can lead to dangerous iron buildup in vital organs such as the heart and kidneys,” said Dr Dewi Paramita.

“As a preventive measure, since the condition is currently incurable, all prospective couples are strongly advised to undergo early screening to detect if they carry the genetic trait before marriage,” she added.

The disease is categorised into three severity levels: Medically, if two carriers marry, there is a 50% chance their child will be a carrier and a 25% risk of developing fatal thalasemia major. Diagnosis involves complete blood tests, peripheral blood smear, iron status checks, and haemoglobin electrophoresis.

BPJS Kesehatan fully covers thalasemia treatment costs in East Kalimantan, with adequate support facilities available at RSUD Abdul Wahab Sjahranie in Samarinda and Kanujoso Djatiwibowo Hospital in Balikpapan.

Dr Paramita urged parents to be vigilant for early symptoms in children, such as easy fatigue, rapid exhaustion during physical activity, and pallor.