Assessment of Lipid Profile (Total Cholesterol, Triglycerides), Calcium Status and Glucose Levels in Individuals with β –Thalassemia

Abstract

Beta-thalassemia major is an inherited blood disorder that leads to severe anemia and various metabolic and biochemical changes. The main aim of the present study was to evaluate lipid profile parameters, serum calcium and glucose levels, along with selected hematological parameters, and compare them between patients with β-thalassemia major and healthy controls. The study comprised 100 patients with β-thalassemia major and 100 healthy individuals of both sexes and comparable ages in each group. Serum Total Cholesterol (TC), Triglycerides (TG), calcium and glucose levels, along with Hemoglobin (Hb) and Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), were assessed. The β-thalassemia patients had significantly lower levels of cholesterol and serum calcium than healthy control subjects. Increased levels of triglycerides and glucose were found in patients compared with control subjects. The serum levels of mean triglycerides and calcium remained within normal values, but significant differences were found between the groups. The Hb and MCV levels were significantly low, and the mean corpuscular volume of RBCs was also lower than normal in the β-thalassemia patients. The results show that clinically apparent β-thalassemia can greatly change blood lipids, calcium metabolism, glucose metabolism, and haematological indices in the human body. Therefore, periodic haematological and biochemical monitoring can detect metabolic abnormalities in these β-thalassemia patients early and improve their treatment.