Endocrine gland abnormalities in thalassemia major: a brief review

Thalassemia major (beta-thalassemia) affects a significant segment of the population in certain areas of the world. Alterations in migration patterns have changed the geographic distribution of this disease and made it a worldwide health problem. Over the course of the past 2-3 decades hypertransfusion therapy has significantly increased the life expectancy, and improved the quality of life of these patients. At the same time there has been an increase in the frequency of complications of this therapy caused by iron overload. Endocrine gland abnormalities contributed little to the morbidity or mortality of beta-thalassemia in the past. As a result of hypertransfusion therapy and increased longevity, however, endocrinopathies have become more common and contribute significantly to morbidity in these patients. In this article we briefly review the current understanding of endocrine gland abnormalities, primarily caused by iron overload, in patients with thalassemia major.