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Fertility in Thalassemia: Sylvia Titi Singer, MD
Fertility in Thalassemia: Sylvia Titi Singer, MD
Planning pregnancy
Causes of infertility
The Reproductive System and
Hypogonadism
Hypogonadism: Diminished
activity of the gonads
Testes or ovaries
Iron
Pituitary gland very
sensitive to iron
deposition/injury
Normal
Signal intensity reduction,
Using GRE T2*-weighted
pituitary-to-fat signal
intensity ratio
Iron overload
• Pituitary iron deposition: mostly not reversible
• True Pituitary volume loss
Women
Low LH/FSH low estrogen:
• Primary/Secondary
amenorrhea (no menses) or
irregular menstrual cycle
• Common need for hormonal
treatment for ovulation
induction and pregnancy
Secondary effects of low
estrogen
• low bone density
• Fatigue, mood swings
Measurements of reproductive
potential
Fertility Measures Women
methods for Ovarian Reserve Testing (ORT)
A FC
20
10
0
25 30 35 40
Low4 5
A g e (y e a rs )
150
Thal
normal
100
AMH pM
50
0
25 30 35 40 45
Age (years)
Conclusion:
Most women have preserved ovarian function
Premature decline in function in women >33-35 years
Prevention
and Intervention Options
Interventions/Treatments
Inquire early about
– Referral to reproductive endocrinologist
– Follow hormone levels and ovarian
reserve to predict fertility status:
LH/FSH, estrogen, AMH levels, AFC
*Has a child
Methods to assess/ increase Male Fertility
Conventional sperm test (count, motility, volume )
Sperm DNA fragmentation test -correlates with
fertility
Stimulate own testosterone and therefore more
sperm production.
– HCG: Human chorionic gonadotropine– mimics LH
(can add FSH)
– Clomid (Clomiphene): Also stimulates endogenous
testosterone and sperm synthesis
Recommended ~6 months prior to plan for a child
Treatments for Male Infertility
Significant Advances in methodology
to overcome male infertility:
Sperm Freezing (cryopreservation) ICSI
up to 12-15 years
ICSI-Intra Cytoplasmatic Sperm
Injection to overcome low sperm
count
Injection of a single sperm directly
into egg
What can Men do to Preserve Fertility
and Know your options?
Both:
• Keep normal levels of Vitamins C and E, Zinc
• Supplement with anti-oxidants
Hematologist: Discuss fertility issues/ preservation
Referral to specialist
Reproductive Endocrinology, and Urology
UCSF Medical Center
Marcelle Cedars, MD
James Smith, MD
Deborah Trevithick PNP