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TreatmentThere are two main components to the treatment for Beta thalassaemia major; regular red blood cell transfusions and iron chelation therapy. Blood transfusions provide a ready supply of healthy donor red blood cells with healthy haemoglobin to carry much needed oxygen around the body. Without regular blood transfusions the body is compromised due to the effects of anaemia. Regular blood transfusions are required every three to four weeks and the individual is required to attend hospital for the day. Standard protocol for the treatment of thalassaemia in developed countries dictates that more frequent blood transfusions greatly improve the quality of life. Today, most individuals with thalassaemia major receive timely and sufficient blood products in countries such as Australia.
The transfusion of whole red blood cells has however the consequence of a secondary toxic builds up of iron, termed as iron-overload. This can cause serious side effects, including diabetes; heart failure and liver disease due to the toxic build up of iron in tissue and organs. Unfortunately the body has no natural process to eliminate excess iron.
Iron-overload is treated using iron chelation therapy, which refers to the binding of iron to a drug. There are two forms of iron- chelation therapy:
Subcutaneous therapy involves daily injections of a drug (Desferal) over a 10 hour period to remove excess iron from the blood. It works by binding to the iron and allowing it to be excreted by the kidneys. Desferal is infused into the body using a slow infusion pump attached to a needle overnight.
Oral formulation is now readily available in Australia, whereby tablets are suspended into a soluble solution (water or juice) and ingested daily.
The long term benefits of regular and consistent treatment of iron overload, coupled with regular blood transfusions are undisputed and linked directly to the long-term health and longevity of individuals with thalassaemia major. Further information on chelation therapy is available at the following links. However, thalassaemia Australia recommends that you contact your doctor first.Novartis Australia - Consumer Medical Information http://www.novartis.com.au/products_consumers.html TEL: 1800 671 203.Orphan Australia - Consumer Medical Information http://www.orphan.com.au/info@orphan.com.au TEL: 1300 656 755 Treatment Centres
VICTORIASUPPORT:
Thalassaemia Australia Inc. 333 Waverley Road Mt Waverley Victoria 3149 Australia
Phone: + 61 3 9888 2211 Fax: + 61 3 9888 2150 Email: info@thalassaemia.org.au TREATMENT CENTRESMonash Medical Centre
Medical Therapy Unit
(State Thalassaemia Service, Southern Health)
246 Clayton Rd
Clayton VIC 3168
Phone: +61 3 9594 2756 or +61 3 9594 3154
Royal Women's Hospital
Thalassaemia Clinic
Cnr Grattan St & Flemington Rd
Parkville VIC 3052
Phone: +61 3 8345 2180
Mercy Hospital for Women
Genetics163 Studley Road
Heidelberg VIC 3084
Phone: +61 3 8458 4250
NEW SOUTH WALES
SUPPORT:
Thalassaemia Society of NSW PO Box M120
Camperdown NSW 2050
Level 7 King George V Building Missenden Road Camperdown NSW 2050 Australia Phone: + 61 2 95504844 Web: www.thalnsw.org.au
TREATMENT CENTRES:
Children's Hospital at Westmead Haematology Department Locked Bag 4001 Westmead New South Wales 2145 Phone: + 61 2 9845 0000
Sydney Children's Hospital Department of Haematology High Street Randwick New South Wales 2031 Phone: + 61 2 9382 1111
The Prince of Wales Hospital Department of Haematology Level 4, Campus Centre High Street Randwick New South Wales 2031 Phone: + 61 2 9382 2222
Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Department of Haematology Level 5, Missenden Road Camperdown New South Wales 2050 Phone: + 61 2 9515 6111
Westmead Hospital Department of Haematology Cnr Hawkesbury Road & Darcy Roads Westmead New South Wales 2145 Phone: + 61 2 98455555
Liverpool Hospital Department of Haematology Ground Floor Cnr Elizabeth & Goulburn Street Liverpool New South Wales 2170 Phone: + 61 2 9828 3000
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
SUPPORT:
See TA details
TREATMENT CENTRES:Royal Adelaide Hospital Haematology North Terrace Women's and Children's Hospital Department of Clinical Haematology Oncology 72 King William Road Phone: + 61 8 8161 7411 Phone: + 61 8 8161 7000 (Switchboard)
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
SUPPORT:
Thalassaemia Association of Western Australia Phone: + 61 8 9276 1380
TREATMENT CENTRES:Royal Perth Hospital Wellington Street Perth Western Australia 6000 Phone: + 61 8 9224 2244
Princess Margaret Hospital for Children Roberts Road Subiaco Western Australia 6008 Phone: + 61 8 9340 8222
Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital Haematology Care Centre Hospital Avenue Nedlands Western Australia 6009 Phone: + 61 8 9346 7600
QUEENSLAND
SUPPORT:
See TA details
TREATMENT CENTRES:Mater Adult Treatment Centre Day Oncology Unit 10 A Level 10 Mater Adult Hospital Raymond Terrace South Brisbane Queensland 4101 Phone: +61 7 3163 1952 Fax: + 61 7 3163 3429
Mater Children's Hospital Medical Day Unit Level 7 East Raymond Terrace South Brisbane QLD 4101 Day Unit PH: 07 3163 8707 8:30am - 5:00pm Wed & Fri ONLY Contact: Emma Brownrigg (7 East-Haematological Medical Day Unit Nurse) 7 East Ward PH: 07 3163 8388 or 07 3163 8551 8:30am - 5:00pm Mon, Tues, Thurs, Sat & Sun Contact: Darren Hassen (7 East-Nurse Unit Manager) Northern TerritoryNo centres availableTasmaniaNo centres available |
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