About Iron Overload and Thalassemia

If you or someone you care for has thalassemia, you’re well aware of the benefits of receiving red blood cell transfusions when needed. But as few as 10 blood transfusions may overload the blood and body with iron. Iron overload is a potentially dangerous health risk. Fortunately, proper medical care can be “stronger than iron.”

If you receive blood transfusions, you may qualify for a free educational program called Ask About Iron. Get a Doctor Discussion Guide that can help you ask the right questions. And find out about new ways you can lighten the iron load on your body.

Why People With Thalassemia Get Blood Transfusions

First widely used in the 1970s, red blood cell transfusions revolutionized care for patients with thalassemia major, allowing normal development through childhood — and extended survival.

You should be aware of the risks that come with red blood cell transfusions, one of which is iron overload. Each red blood cell transfusion contains hundreds of times the iron in a normal daily diet. The more transfusions you receive, the more iron you’ll have in your body, unless you receive treatment with iron chelation therapy.

If you’ve had 10 or more red blood cell transfusions, you may be at risk for overload, a condition that can cause serious health problems.

Iron overload can damage your body.
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