###Human: I have thalassemia minor. How to increase hemoglobin and decrease ferritin levels? ###Assistant: Hi. I have seen all your reports (attachment removed to protect patient identity). Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder characterized by abnormal hemoglobin production. I do not have to explain you much about thalassemia as your doctor might have told you the details and consequences about it. Few symptoms and complications that you need to be aware of due to thalassemia are as follows: Major complications that you need to consider is iron overload, which could either be due to recurrent blood transfusion or due to excess cell break down. Comming to the weakness, it is generally due to low hemoglobin. Symptoms of anemia can result in feeling tired and pale skin. A decrease in the hemoglobin level was mainly due to blood transfusion. The patient can be on iron supplements, and it requires about two months on an average to improve hemoglobin level. Ferritin is a protein that stores iron and releases it when the body needs it. It usually lives in the body’s cells, with very little circulating in the blood. Treatment will be based on patient's response, how the patient responds to the chelating agent, etc. For more information consult an internal medicine physician online -->