Endocrinological problems in adult thalassemia patients

Abstract

Thalassemia refers to a group of genetic disorders associated with defective synthesis of alpha or beta subunits of globin chain of HbA. Patients with thalassemia major are transfusion dependent for life and they suffer from numerous problems associated with chronic anemia; extramedullary hematopoiesis and an iron overload. Several endocrine organs are affected by the iron overload. Hypogonadism is the most common endocrine complication in thalassemia. Diabetes, osteoporosis, growth hormone deficiency are other endocrine disorders seen among thalassemic patients. This review begins with a case and mainly focusses on diagnosis and treatment of endocrinological problems in adult thalassemia major patients.