Can hereditary anemia be cured?

Sep 18, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Feng
Introduction
In general, whether hereditary anemia can be cured depends on its specific type. Some types can be controlled or even cured with proper treatment, while others currently have no definitive cure but can have their symptoms alleviated through interventions. Patients with hereditary anemia should pay attention to daily care, maintain a balanced diet, and consume more foods rich in iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12.

Generally speaking, whether hereditary anemia can be cured depends on the specific type. Some types can be controlled or even cured through standardized treatment, while others currently cannot be completely cured but can have symptoms effectively alleviated through interventions. The details are as follows:

For example, hereditary spherocytosis, a type of inherited anemia caused by abnormal red blood cell structure leading to anemia, can often be significantly improved or even achieve clinical cure through splenectomy, which reduces red blood cell destruction. Most patients experience noticeable relief from anemia symptoms after surgery and only require regular follow-up examinations thereafter.

In contrast, thalassemia, another form of hereditary anemia caused by genetic defects affecting hemoglobin synthesis, currently cannot be fundamentally cured. However, regular blood transfusions and iron chelation therapy can help supplement normal red blood cells and reduce iron overload, effectively relieving symptoms such as fatigue and pallor, enabling patients to maintain normal daily life and growth development.

Patients with hereditary anemia should pay attention to daily care, maintain a balanced diet, and consume more foods rich in iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12—such as lean meat, leafy green vegetables, and eggs. They should also avoid excessive fatigue, maintain regular作息 (daily routines), engage in appropriate physical activity according to individual conditions to strengthen their constitution, and reduce the risk of complications such as infections.