Friday, August 29, 2014

Thalassemia

Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder. It causes abnormal hemoglobin that doesn't have the protein to carry oxygen in the blood where it is suppose to go causing anemia. The disorder can be mild to severe.

Never in my whole life did I ever see myself sitting in this room. Give me brain surgery any day #Phoenixchildrens #pch #graysongram #betterbeok

That is the diagnosis.

Graysons red blood cells are more oval than they should be. And his red blood cell count, though currently normal, he is on the low end of normal. The test they did on his liver shows that the iron stores that should be in his liver are either super low or non existent.

We add Gummies with iron from Costco since liquid iron makes his skin break out something fierce and barf and more barf.

In a month we redraw labs. If our iron levels haven't moved, we go to the next step.

Long term we don't foresee major issues. With blood work, and a hematologist on board he should be fine. We might see a few blood transfusions in our day but we will be OK.


2 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is the first thing I've read of yours so I'm not up to speed, but I just wanted to say I too have a son with a blood disorder... he has severe Hemophilia A, so hematologists and IVs and hemonc clinics are very much a part of my life too. Glad it's something manageable and will pray the next steps are smooth for you.

Valerie said...

Welcome to Mommy Bloggers LIKE Swap! :)
I'm glad that the disorder seems manageable. My older son had to take extra iron for a few years as a toddler because his hemoglobin levels were lower than they should be at his 12m check-up.