Thalassemia: Is this my goodbye to martial arts?

**Tom Kagan** · Posted On: 1/29/2009 12:31pm

Originally Posted by white_kimbo

to a small extent, lilly was right. i have ganed a little bit of weight. but, that will be gone in 3 weeks, max. but, the fact is he is more worried about me being hypoglocemic or diabetic than a small weight gain over the past few months. and he did say, that i do something different if i could. TKD just wasn't a good idea, because of the potential problems with the thel minor.

but, like i said, 3 months from now, i will know exactly one way or the other without endagering myself.

My initial reaction is the doctor's advice to stay away from anaerobic strength endurance activity has more to do with hypoglycemia than anything else. There are some simple ways to train around it without resorting to something as ghey has aerobic power walking. But, since this is weighing on you so much, at this point you really should consult with a hematologist and also an endocrinologist.

**omoplatypus** · Posted On: 1/29/2009 12:35pm

Originally Posted by Tom Kagan

My initial reaction is the doctor's advice to stay away from anaerobic strength endurance activity has more to do with hypoglycemia than anything else. There are some simple ways to train around it without resorting to something as ghey has aerobic power walking. But, since this is weighing on you so much, at this point you really should consult with a hematologist and also an endocrinologist.

as stated above, fasting blood test this weekend.

**TheRuss** · Posted On: 1/29/2009 1:18pm

Originally Posted by white_kimbo

as stated above, fasting blood test this weekend.

Are you going to see the specialists?

**omoplatypus** · Posted On: 1/29/2009 1:40pm

Originally Posted by TheRuss

Are you going to see the specialists?

absolutly, it's gonna suck. i hate fasting. but, if i am diabetic or hypoglycemic then i can get out of fasting on yom kippur.

**Rivington** · Posted On: 1/29/2009 1:41pm

Taiji wins again!

**TheRuss** · Posted On: 1/29/2009 2:16pm

Originally Posted by white_kimbo

absolutly, it's gonna suck. i hate fasting. but, if i am diabetic or hypoglycemic then i can get out of fasting on yom kippur.

*sigh*

Maybe it's because I'm not thinking clearly, but I'm not seeing the connection between fasting to test for diabetes and seeing a hematologist for thalassemia treatment options and risk assessment (beyond the fact that they're both good ideas). Am I misunderstanding something?

**omoplatypus** · Posted On: 1/29/2009 2:55pm

the blood taken today is going to a hemotology lab. the idea i got was that a "treatment" wasn't needed now. just limit activities. but that will be addressed this weekend. since my mother is hypoglycemic and my father has adult onset diabetes, my doc is more worried about that right now.

however, i'm not incredably worried about diabeties. i know it's serious and nothing to take lightly. but, i have known athletes of all calibers that were diabetic. it just needs to be known for sure and handled properly.

the more i think about it all, the less worried i am. if it wasn't thalassemia slowing me down, something else would be soon enough. and i'm sure that i can keep doing SOMETHING with ma over the next decade.

**TheRuss** · Posted On: 1/29/2009 4:33pm

Originally Posted by white_kimbo

the blood taken today is going to a hemotology lab. the idea i got was that a "treatment" wasn't needed now. just limit activities.

Two related problems with this:
1) Getting bloodwork done will presumably confirm/reject the diagnosis. It is not a substitute for actually consulting with an expert to interpret said diagnosis (options and risks).
2) It appears that limiting your activities will limit the effectiveness of your martial arts training. I'm not going to insult you for choosing to curtail your training rather than pursuing alternatives that would allow you to train more effectively. It's your health and your call. I do, however, think you should at least investigate the alternatives so you can make an informed decision.

**omoplatypus** · Posted On: 1/29/2009 5:10pm

Originally Posted by TheRuss

Two related problems with this:
1) Getting bloodwork done will presumably confirm/reject the diagnosis. It is not a substitute for actually consulting with an expert to interpret said diagnosis (options and risks).
2) It appears that limiting your activities will limit the effectiveness of your martial arts training. I'm not going to insult you for choosing to curtail your training rather than pursuing alternatives that would allow you to train more effectively. It's your health and your call. I do, however, think you should at least investigate the alternatives so you can make an informed decision.

agreed, and i will see a specialist later. right now, treatment isn't needed but, if i'm diabetic/pre-diabetic or hypoglycemic, then that needs to be addressed first.

so, everything in due time. i feel a lot better about everything now that i'm seeing ringside doc for what he was. genuinly concerned but unable to separate people getting punchy from to many pro/am fights and a tae kwon dork who has thalessimia.