ABSTRACT
Objectives: To evaluate and investigate the patients of Beta Thalassemia Major, presenting with anemia, organomegalies, skeletal expansion, and high fetal hemoglobin, for end organ damage and endocrine abnormalities with iron overload
Methods: diagnosed cases of Beta Thalassemia Major were included in this study and the parameters analyzed were: Hemoglobin, MCV, Hematocrit, RBCs, RDW, Reticulocytes, HbF, HbA2, Ferritin, LDH, Creatinine, Blood Glucose Random, LH, FSH, and TSH
Results: Mean value of different parameters were Hemoglobin 5.5 g/dL, MCV 76.1fL, Hematocrit 19.2%, RBCs 2.53x109/L, RDW 33.7fL, Reticulocytes 12.7%, HbF 73.3%, HbA2 2.03%, Ferritin 3212 ng/mL, LDH 2237 U/L, Creatinine 1.3g/dL, Blood Glucose Random 110mg/dL, LH 6.5 U/L, FSH 7.8U/L, and TSH 2.4 microU/mL
Conclusion: All patients having microcytic, hypochromic anemia, low MCV, high RDW, nucleated RBCs in peripheral blood, and reticulocytosis should be subjected to work up for hemolysis such as LDH, DAT, and hemoglobin electrophoresis. Above mentioned findings are usually coupled with skeletal expansion and organomegalies in case of Beta Thalassemia Major. In addition, after the confirmation of Beta Thalassemia Major, iron overload must be assessed to incorporate an effective iron chelating therapy