It is observed every year on May 8 to spread awareness about a common inherited blood disorder called thalassaemia, support patients and families, and push for better screening and treatment. Thalassaemia affects millions of people worldwide, and India is one of the high‑risk countries.
The prevalence of thalassemia trait in Central India ranges between 1.4 and 3.4%, while 0.94% is reported for thalassaemia major. In South India, the prevalence is between 8.5 and 37.9% for the trait and thalassaemia major is reported to be between 2.3 and 7.5%. Northern and Western Indian states have a higher thalassemic burden.
What Is Thalassaemia?
Thalassaemia is a genetic problem in the blood. It affects how the body makes hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. When hemoglobin is low or abnormal, the body gets less oxygen and feels tired and weak.
There are two main types people talk about:
- Thalassaemia major (major form): A child who gets the faulty gene from both parents. This form needs regular blood transfusions and lifelong medical care.
- Thalassaemia minor (trait): A person who carries the faulty gene from only one parent. Most people with thal-minor are healthy or have only mild anemia and feel fine in daily life.
We routinely manage patients with thalassemia minor (thal minor) in our clinic. Let’s learn more about it.
How Is Thal Minor Diagnosed?
If a person has mild, long‑term anemia or a family history of thalassaemia, the doctor may suspect thal minor. The usual tests include:
- Blood routine (CBC): Checks hemoglobin and red blood cell size. Thal minor usually shows small red blood cells and low MCV.
- Peripheral smear: The lab looks at red blood cells under the microscope to see if they are small and pale.
- Hemoglobin electrophoresis or HPLC: This test measures different types of hemoglobin; in thal-minor, a special type called HbA2 is usually higher than normal.
- Iron tests (ferritin, iron, TIBC): To see if the person also has iron deficiency, which can sometimes look similar on routine blood reports.
Thal Minor and Iron: When Extra Iron Becomes a Problem
Most people with thal minor are told it is “just a trait,” but it can still affect how the body handles iron. Some carriers may absorb too much iron from food, even without extra supplements or transfusions. Over time, this extra iron can build up in the liver, heart, or pancreas, which is called iron overload.
What Foods and Supplements to Be Careful With?
- Limiting iron‑rich foods like red meat, organ meats (liver), and many iron‑fortified products like multivitamins unless clearly needed.
- Avoiding iron supplements unless a doctor has clearly advised them.
- Separating vitamin‑C–rich foods from iron‑rich meals because vitamin C can increase iron absorption.
- Adding vitamins like folic acid (B9) can protect red blood cells and maintain hemoglobin production
How a Dietitian Can Help
Genetic Risk for Your Children and Tests for Couples
- If both parents are carriers, there is a 1 in 4 (25%) chance in each pregnancy that the child may have thalassaemia major.
- If only one parent is a carrier, the child may be normal or just a carrier (thal-minor) but will not have major disease.
- CBC + MCV
- Hemoglobin electrophoresis or HPLC
- Iron studies
Key Takeaways
- Thalassaemia major is serious but largely preventable through carrier screening and counselling.
- Thal minor is common and often silent, but still needs proper blood and iron tests.
- Certain foods and self‑taken iron supplements can increase iron overload in carriers.
- A balanced diet, guided by a dietitian, can support better energy and organ health.
- If you or your partner has thal-minor, get tested together and speak with a doctor and dietitian before planning a family.
- A pregnant woman with thalassaemia minor must be carefully monitored with relevant tests before prescribing iron supplements.
– Anamta Kazi, Clinical & Sports Nutritionist
