Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)

The genetic blood disorder affects 1 in 500 Africans Americans.  Once you get too much iron in your blood it has to deposit somewhere, then it deposits in your tissue.  For many who live with SCD, blood transfusions are oftentimes part of their care, that having too many can lead to a buildup of iron in the body.  The biggest thing about iron is that it can deposit into the heart and you can get irregular heart rhythms, heart failure, and you can die-that's why iron overload is a big deal.  The doctors should make sure that all of their patients  know their iron levels.  If you have to get a blood transfusion, ask for a serum ferritin test, and get tested each time you get blood transfusions.  People everywhere that have 10 or more transfusions can lead to iron overload and that iron levels over 1000mcg/L are cause for concern.  Please talk to your doctor about serum ferritin screenings.