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Secondary haemochromatosis in a patient with thalassemia intermedia
Ionela Rotaru1, Amelia Gaman1, G Gaman1
1Department of Hematology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova.
Haemochromatosis is due to excessive accumulation of iron in tissues and organs impairing their function. The most common haematologic disorders that are subject to an intensive transfusion regimen bringing excess iron in the body are: thalassemia and myelodysplastic syndrome. The value of serum ferritin in these patients (indicator of iron stores condition) reaches high values. Red cell substitution bringing additional iron intake must be accompanied by administration of chelation therapy in order to prevent haemochromatosis and related complications. We present the case of a patient with thalassemia intermedia, integumentary secondary haemochromatosis, cirrhosis with haemochromatosis, and secondary diabetes, who died at the age of 33 years because of upper gastrointestinal bleeding due to the rupture of oesophageal varices.
Haemochromatosis is due to excessive accumulation of iron in tissues and organs impairing their function. The most common haematologic disorders that are subject to an intensive transfusion regimen bringing excess iron in the body are: thalassemia and myelodysplastic syndrome. The value of serum ferritin in these patients (indicator of iron stores condition) reaches high values. Red cell substitution bringing additional iron intake must be accompanied by administration of chelation therapy in order to prevent haemochromatosis and related complications. We present the case of a patient with thalassemia intermedia, integumentary secondary haemochromatosis, cirrhosis with haemochromatosis, and secondary diabetes, who died at the age of 33 years because of upper gastrointestinal bleeding due to the rupture of oesophageal varices.
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Disorders of Erythrocytes
Erythrocyte disorders can be broadly categorized into two main types: anemic and polycythemic conditions.
A low oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood due to the loss, lower production, or destruction of erythrocytes is termed anemia. Hemorrhagic anemia, for example, occurs when bleeding from an external wound or internal ulcer reduces erythrocyte counts.
On the other...