Determining The Levels Concentrations of the Two Toxic Elements Cadmium and Lead in the Serum Thalassemia Patients for Citizens of Najaf Governorate, Iraq

Abstract Thalassemia is a class of hereditary hematologic illnesses resulting from abnormalities in the production of one or more hemoglobin chains. Patients with β-thalassemia may have a reduction in heavy metal levels as a result of iron chelate medication. the aim Study the levels of heavy metals (toxic) in the blood of beta-thalassemia patients and compare them to healthy people for the purpose of arriving at indicators through which it is possible to assist in early diagnosis of this disease or reduce symptoms. The study included 80 patients in comparison with age and gender-matched 40 healthy individuals as controls. Samples were gathered between July 1, 2023, and September 1, 2023. The patients were interviewed for socio-demographic variables, and their medical histories were obtained from the hospital files. Cadmium and lead concentrations were determined using flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). Cadmium levels in thalassemia patients were found to be lower in both genders than in the control group. Lead levels were found to be greater in male thalassemia patients and lower in female thalassemia patients than those in the control group of female thalassemia patients. Additionally, it was observed that patients from areas outside of Najaf's city center had greater levels of lead and cadmium than patients from the city center. Cadmium and lead levels in the serum were often low in thalassemia patients. Heavy metals are eliminated when deferasirox chelate is taken.