We have moved to a new site

We are now located 100 yards up the road next to Pleck Health Centre

14 Oxford Street,
Walsall,
West Midlands,
WS2 9HY
Ok
pleck pharmacy logo
We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience. By clicking 'I Understand and Accept', you consent to our use of cookies.
I understand and accept
No, I don't want to use cookies
My Account
Control Panel
An example toast message
Do Something
Login
en
en
pleck pharmacy logopleck pharmacy logo
Menu
en
en
Change Language
Login
My Account
Control Panel
Home
Pharmacy First
Pharmacy Services
Contact Us
Health Advice
Order
Log Out
Login
Login
en
en
Do Something
Login
en
en
pleck pharmacy logopleck pharmacy logo
Menu
en
en
Change Language
Login
My Account
Control Panel
Home
Pharmacy First
Pharmacy Services
Contact Us
Health Advice
Order
Log Out
Login
Login
en
en
Symptoms

Thalassaemia can cause a wide range of health problems, although treatment can help keep many of them under control.

Children born with the main type of thalassaemia, beta thalassaemia major, usually develop symptoms a few months after birth.

Less severe types may not cause any noticeable problems until later in childhood, or even until adulthood.

If you're a carrier of thalassaemia, you'll usually be healthy and will not have any symptoms.

If you have thalassaemia, you may have some of the symptoms discussed on this page.

Anaemia

Almost everyone with thalassaemia major or other serious types will develop anaemia, which can be life threatening in severe cases.

In anaemia there are low levels of haemoglobin, a substance that transports oxygen, in the blood.

It typically causes:

Frequent blood transfusions are usually needed for life to stop anaemia becoming severe.

Too much iron in the body

Most people with thalassaemia major or other severe types will also be at risk of developing a range of health problems caused by a build-up of iron in the body. It's usually a side effect of repeated blood transfusions.

Too much iron in the body can cause:

Lifelong treatment with medicine to stop iron building up to harmful levels will usually be needed. This is known as chelation therapy.

Other problems

Thalassaemia major or other severe types can also sometimes cause a number of other problems.

These include:

  • delayed growth during childhood
  • small stones in the gallbladder (gallstones), which can cause inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis), stomach ache and jaundice
  • unusual bone growth, such as an enlarged forehead or cheeks
  • weak, fragile bones (osteoporosis)
  • reduced fertility – some people with thalassaemia may need fertility treatment to help them have children
Last Reviewed
11 November 2022
NHS websiteNHS website
pleck pharmacy logo
14 Oxford Street,
Walsall,
West Midlands,
WS2 9HY
Company Registration: 07893857
Premises GPhC Number: 1038515
Superintendant: Bilal Shah (2061734)
Menu
Pharmacy First
All Pharmacy First Services
Earache
Impetigo
Insect Bite
Shingles
Sinusitis
Sore Throat
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
Home
Pharmacy Services
Contact Us
Order Prescriptions
Health Advice
Useful Links
NHS Choices
Patient UK
Fit For Travel
Opening Hours
Store Hours Unavailable
No store selected for opening hours
Loading Open Hours...
Pleck Pharmacy © 2024
Privacy Policy