I have been diagnosed since 1999 with beta thalessemia. I have always been tired and doctors told me my iron levels were severely low. I had two children and had to take shots in order for it not to be transferred to them. But, neither of my parents have this trait nor does anyone in my family. I have under gone gall bladder removal, and now I suffer from severe intestinal problems. I cannot use the bathroom at all, my stomach irritates easily, my thyroid is now not working at all. I have no idea of what to do, I am 29 years old and I act like I am 60 years old. I cannot run and play with my children eat sleep or anything. No doctor can give me a real answer or treatment for this.

I was diagnosed with beta thalassemia minor at age 3 (inherited from my father). I was very sick as a young child, but as a teen and young adult I had very few symptoms (I get winded very easily and can't hold my breath for long under water). I am 41 and over the past few years I have had issues with fatigue, general weakness, and easily getting sick, along with cholecystectomy (gall bladder) and oophorectomy (ovary) surgeries - all of which no doctor has ever directly attributed to my thalassemia. A big concern for any thalassemia patient is to find a doctor that is knowledgeable about the anemia and is attentive to the specific needs of these patients. I have met very few doctors that even know the term, so make sure to ask! Overall, I am pretty healthy - I just have to be wise to the potential problems. I hope this helps somebody else! This is not some trifling disease. This is deadly serious stuff.

I was diagnosed with Thalassemia minor in 1966. Other than getting tired occasionally, it never really bothered me until 19 months ago when I experienced excruciating pain in my groin area. After 9 doctors, I was finally diagnosed with Avascular Anemia which has destroyed my two hip joints resulting directly from Thalassemia minor. I had never heard of this until now and apparently, neither has the medical profession. I just had one hip replaced and the other will be done next year. My son has also tested positive for Beta Thalassemia. I needed 6 packed red blood cell transfusions to get through the operation due to extremely low blood counts. As far as I understand it, there is no medical treatment for Thalassemia minor but my son and I are going to pursue all possibilities so that when he hits my age, he won't suffer the same disaster.

I was diagnosed with beta thalassemia a year ago, and I have found that where my friends could take a matter of hours to burn off alcohol, however for me it feels like days.

I was just diagnosed today that I have beta thalassemia, a minor version of it. I had a hip replaced last year and could not give my own blood for my surgery. I was not told about this disease until a few weeks ago, and then tested with the results now. I feel great and have energy, but I have not gone back to work as of yet. In two weeks I will return to work- hopefully I won't have any bad symptoms. Hope there will be a cure someday.

My husband has Beta Thalassemia and he was told other than having small red cells he was to drink no alcohol. He suffers from extreme fatigue and at times cannot do even the lightest of tasks.

I was diagnosed recently with Beta Thalassemia Minor. Although I keep reading that I should be asymptomatic, I have always been unable to do anything aerobic. If I tried to hike or run, I would quickly get short of breath--even when I was young and healthy and working out every day.

My result of testing: negative for typical beta thalassemia minor.

I have been diagnosed with having Thalassemia Minor since birth. In 2009 I undergone Liver Treatment with Chronic Hepatitis C. I was placed on the Peginterferon and Ribaviron medication. After 5 months I was very very weak. I was told by the nurse practitioner working with me ( Never once did I see or hear from the Doctor) to drive to Denver (almost 300 miles away) to speak to a Hepatologist. My daughter came with me. The Hepatlogist told me to immediately get off the treatment because it was killing off too many red blood cells. I also have nerve damage that has left me to suffer with a horrible itch. I have a new Gastroenterologist now and am scheduled to have a colonoscopy done and blood test. Thankfully, he IS upfront and honest and SPEAKS to me.