Treatment
Treatment may include:
Blood Transfusions
You may require blood transfusions. These are done to replace abnormal red blood cells with healthy new ones.
Iron Chelation Therapy
Excess iron can accumulate in the body after repeated blood transfusions. Too much iron can damage the heart, liver, and other vital organs. A drug call deferoxamine (Desferal) can be given to bind to excess iron in the body. It is then carried out through the urine. This drug is given through the skin or by vein using a small infusion pump.
There is a new drug for thei therapy called deferasirox (Exjade). It can be given as a drink, mixed with water or juice.
Splenectomy
This surgery is done to remove the spleen. It may help reduce the number of blood transfusions that are needed.
Bone Marrow Transplant
Healthy stem cells from a donor's bone marrow are injected into your vein. The new cells travel through the bloodstream to the bone cavities. There they can produce new blood cells, including red blood cells. This is usually only done in severe cases. A compatible sibling donor is required.
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2012 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.
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