Mary
I am of mediterrenean decent (parents are both italian) and I was just recently diagnosed with a trait of Thala Minor. I never knew i had this condition and I am now 40 years old. At first I was told i had anemia and I was put on an iron supplement therapy for 3 months. Apparently I do have a case of light anemia but, after repeated testing they also found thalassemia . When i was a little girl, i vividly remember often having excrutiating knee/leg pains at night time that would wake me up or keep me up in tears, the discomforts where always attributed to "growing-pains" back then. So i really wonder if that wasn't due to this condition. I too take longer than normal to recover from a cold or infetion, catch anything or any virus that is out there rapidly (jokingly tho, I am always the first in line, viruses haven't even made it's way here that i already have it ). I feel always fatigued more than i really should. Feel weak and like i don't have enough air at times. Unexplained dizziness and lightheadedness is other symptoms that tend to creep up now and again unexplainably. Joint pain like the shoulder or hip is something i feel at times. Irritability due to fatigue and the feeling to never have enough sleep is something that as always been there for me too. I know very little about this condition, and have started to learn more about it and getting information. What about b12 supplements? What about diet - super foods etc? All is so confusing and so much info to take in at once - What is best is my question...I been hearing all the "don't eat too much red meats or leafy veggies, due to iron accumulation dangers - don't eat iron foods with dairy products - there isn't anything to do with thala minor, it's a condition one learns to live with .. etc..etc.." I would like to know if there is a simple approach that anyone has found to a very complex and little known condition. Thanking anyone in advance that would be willing to pass any info along.