Does anyone know about Sideroblastic Anemia?

Question

Does anyone out there have Sideroblastic Anemia or know anyone that has it? My friend was diagnosed with it and it is really rare. We would love to know if there is anyone out there that has some experience with it who can tell us what we should be expecting in the coming years.

Answer 1

The sideroblastic anemias are a group of blood disorders in which the body has enough iron but is unable to use it to make hemoglobin, which carries oxygen in the blood. As a result, iron accumulates in the mitochondria of red blood cells, giving a ringed appearance to the nucleus (ringed sideroblast). There are three categories of sideroblastic anemias: inherited, acquired, and idiopathic (of unknown origin). The signs and symptoms can range from mild to severe, and include fatigue, breathing difficulties, and weakness. Enlargement of the liver or spleen may also occur. In severe cases, the increased levels of iron in the blood may lead to heart disease, liver damage, and kidney failure.

Resources

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

1311 Mamaroneck Ave

3rd Floor

White Plains, NY 10605

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Internet: http://www.LLS.org
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March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation

1275 Mamaroneck Avenue

White Plains, NY 10605

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Fax: [phone]

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Email: [e-mail]

Internet: http://www.marchofdimes.com
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NIH/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute Information Center

P.O. Box 30105

Bethesda, MD 20824-0105

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Email: [e-mail]
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Iron Disorders Institute

P.O. Box 675

Taylors, SC 29687

USA

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Email: [e-mail]

Internet: http://www.irondisorders.org

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Answer 2

Normal red blood cells (RBCs) are needed to prevent anemia where there are too few cells in the circulation. If the bone marrow, where RBCs and several types of white blood cells are normally made, does not make enough red cells (called "aplasia"), anemia occurs. Anemia of chronic disease also results from different chronic diseases, such as kidney damage. RBCs live a normal 120 days so they must be replaced by new RBCs made in the marrow, or anemia will result.

Answer 3

Yep, flirt has it.. but here is another webpage and definition for you to take a peek at.. :)

Sideroblastic anemia is a term used to describe a group of rare blood disorders characterized by the bone marrow's inability to manufacture normal red blood cells.
http://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/Atoz/ency/sideroblastic_anemia.jsp