Best Thalassemia Doctors in Hyderabad

Types/Stages of Thalassemia

Thalassemia is classified based on the specific globin chain affected, into:

• Alpha Thalassemia: This includes the Silent Carrier stage (no symptoms or mild anaemia), Alpha Thalassemia Trait (mild anaemia symptoms), Hemoglobin H Disease (severe form with lifelong anaemia), Hemoglobin H-Constant Spring (variant of Hemoglobin H disease) and Alpha Thalassemia Major (most severe form often resulting in intrauterine death).

• Beta Thalassemia: Includes Beta Thalassemia Minor (mild anaemia symptoms), Beta Thalassemia Intermedia (moderate anaemia symptoms), and Beta Thalassemia Major or Cooley’s Anemia (most severe form with severe anaemia symptoms noticeable by age 2).

Symptoms of Thalassemia

Individuals with thalassemia may experience a variety of symptoms such as:

• Fatigue and weakness

• Pale or yellowish skin

• Facial bone deformities

• Slow growth in children

• Abdominal swelling

Tests to Diagnose Thalassemia

Apollo Hospitals Hyderabad’s best doctors for Thalassemia treatment diagnose the condition through several tests, including:

• Complete Blood Count (CBC): Measures the number of red blood cells and haemoglobin levels and reveals abnormalities in red blood cells.

• Haemoglobin Electrophoresis: Separates different types of haemoglobin in the blood and is used to diagnose beta-thalassemia.

• Genetic Testing: DNA analysis can help a Thalassemia specialist identify mutated genes responsible for Thalassemia.

• Prenatal Testing: Tests like chorionic villus sampling (CVS) and amniocentesis can diagnose Thalassemia in the fetus during pregnancy.

Treatment or Surgery Options for Thalassemia at Apollo Hospitals Hyderabad

At Apollo Hospitals in Hyderabad, Thalassemia treatment doctors provide various treatment options such as:

• Regular Blood Transfusions: This maintains normal haemoglobin and red blood cell levels, particularly crucial for moderate to severe cases.

• Iron Chelation Therapy: Used to remove excess iron from the body, which can accumulate due to regular blood transfusions.

• Folic Acid Supplements: Supplements may be recommended to build healthy red blood cells.

• Bone Marrow Transplantation: This curative treatment replaces faulty stem cells with healthy ones from a donor.

• Gene Therapy: This emerging treatment is aimed at correcting the genetic defects that cause thalassemia.

• Splenectomy: In severe cases, surgical removal of the spleen may be necessary.