STOCKHOLM – The Thalassaemia International Federation (TIF) has issued guidelines that aim to provide physicians with simple protocols intended to improve the detection and management of non-transfusion- dependent Thalassaemia (NTDT).

The guidelines are “the first of a kind,” as earlier published recommendations have addressed the management of Thalassaemia as one clinical entity even though it has long been known that Thalassaemia has a wide spectrum of severity.

The new recommendations advocate the initiation of iron chelation therapy in NTDT patients with a liver iron concentration (LIC) ≥ 5 mg Fe/g dry weight, with therapy continued until patients reach levels