Aim: A control program for the prevention of congenital blood disorders is being carried out in our city, in parallel with the prevalent β-thalassemia minor in Turkey in general. Iron deficiency anemia may accompany the clinical picture of BTM. We aimed to determine the frequency of iron deficiency anemia in BTM admitted at Uşak City Family Health Centers.

Materials and Methods: A total of 209 carriers with Hgb A2 between 3.5-10% were included in this study. Serum ferritin, iron, total iron binding capacity and complete blood counts of red blood cell hemoglobin distribution width, mean red blood cell volume, mean red blood cell hemoglobin levels were retrospectively retrieved from the Laboratory Data System. The data were analyzed by SPSS 15.

Results: The carriers were divided in two groups with ferritin levels ≤ 15 ng/ml and >15 ng/mL. Iron deficiency anemia was detected in 51 of 209 BTM carriers. The transferrin saturation was < 20% in 51 patients with iron deficiency, while it was in the normal range in 158 patients. There was a statistically significant association between mean red blood cell hemoglobin distribution width and transferrin saturation, whereas there were no significant differences in terms of mean red blood cell volume, mean red blood cell hemoglobin and the red blood cell count.

Conclusion: Iron deficiency anemia may be a significant economical burden in developing countries, when it is not prevented and/or controlled, by its negative effects on the cognitive development of children, and productivity of adults. The presence of iron deficiency anemia should be considered in individuals with BTM and their treatment should not be neglected.