Infertility Associated with Thalassemia Major

Patient selection: thalassemia major

Outcome: infertility

Mechanism: iron deposition with multiple endocrinopathies, especially with hypopituitarism

Clinical features:

(1) short stature

(2) amenorrhea

(3) delayed puberty

Laboratory findings:

(1) elevated serum ferritin, often > 2,000 mcg/L

(2) hypogonadotropic hypogonadism with low serum LH and FSH

Early therapy with deferoxamine can avoid iron-related toxicity.