Living well & support

Nutrients that need extra attention

1 min read

Because of iron overload and higher oxidative stress, some nutrients tend to run low in thalassaemia, so teams keep an eye on them.

Vitamin D and calcium protect the bones (both often low — vitamin D is checked every 6 months). Zinc supports growth, immunity and puberty, and can drop, especially on chelation. Folate (folic acid) supports the making of new blood cells. Vitamin E and vitamin C can be depleted by iron-related oxidative stress.

Most are simply checked on routine blood tests and topped up if needed. Good food sources help too: dairy, tofu and leafy greens for calcium; eggs, nuts, seeds and vegetable oils for vitamin E.

This is general information about thalassaemia, not medical advice. Your own care depends on your history and test results — always talk to your thalassaemia team before changing anything about your treatment.

Keep reading

Supplements: what helps, what to avoidThe ones that support you — and the ones to be careful with.
Bone health & osteoporosisThin bones are common — and there’s a lot you can do.
Eating well with thalassaemiaA balanced diet — plus a few habits that genuinely help.