Q: Can iron supplements help increase haemoglobin levels of a thalassaemia minor patient?

A:Iron supplement can increase the haemoglobin in thalassaemia minor if there is concomitant iron deficiency. A low serum iron and ferritin with an elevated total iron binding capacity (TIBC) are diagnostic of iron deficiency. While a low serum ferritin is virtually diagnostic of iron deficiency, a normal serum ferritin can be seen in patients who are deficient in iron and have coexistent diseases. Also take tablet folvite as folic acid supplements tend to help.