METHODS: A retrospective review of all TDT patients treated in Haematology Unit, Hospital Pulau Pinang (HPP) was conducted.

RESULTS: Of the 45 adult TDT patients, 22 were males and 23 were females with mean age of 28.8±6.9 years old. Majority of TDT in HPP were beta thalassemia major (71.1%), followed by E-Beta thalassemia (24.4%) and HbH-Constant Spring (4.4%). Frequency of transfusion was 3-4 weekly. 40.0% of adult TDT suffered from at least one endocrine complication. Among the adult TDT patients with endocrine complication, 50% have one endocrinopathy, 38.9% with two types of endocrinopathies and 11.1% of them have three or more types of endocrinopathies. Hypogonadism (22.2%) was the commonest endocrine complication, followed by osteoporosis (20%), hypothyroidism (13.3%), diabetes mellitus (6.7%) and hypocortisolism (4.4%). Patients with endocrine complications were significantly older. Mean serum ferritin level and LIC was higher among patients with endocrine complications but both were not statistically significant.