People with transfusion-dependent beta thalassaemia will have regular transfusions, while those with non-transfusion-dependent beta thalassaemia may only occasionally need transfusions.1
Beta thalassaemia reduces your body’s ability to make haemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.2,3 It also causes red blood cells to die early.1,3
That’s why people living with beta thalassaemia have fewer red blood cells than normal (anaemia), which can make a person feel tired.3,4 To find out more about how beta thalassaemia affects your red blood cells, click here.
Blood transfusions can help with the symptoms of anaemia by providing your body with healthy red blood cells.1 They also aim to ensure the growing body is developing normally and that your energy levels are good.2
Blood transfusion means receiving someone else’s blood through a tube placed into a vein in your arm.5 The blood comes from blood donors and undergoes careful checks before you get it.2,6
Whether and how often you need blood transfusions depends on the type of beta thalassaemia you have:
- Transfusion-dependent beta thalassaemia requires receiving transfusions regularly, typically once a month.1
- People living with non-transfusion-dependent beta thalassaemia may occasionally need a transfusion (for example due to a lack of growth or during an infection), but they rarely need regular transfusions. Transfusions may also be required when the need for red blood cells increases, for instance, during periods of stress.1,4
Want to know more about the different types of beta thalassaemia? You’ll find more information here.
Receiving regular transfusions means spending a lot of time at the hospital. That can be hard to fit into a busy life. However, getting your transfusions when you need them is essential to ensure your condition doesn’t get worse.6 Stay in contact with your healthcare team and let them know if there are ways to make it easier for you to stick to your treatment.
