Anemia & Thalassemia

Anemia is defined as a low number of red blood cells. In a routine blood test, anemia is reported as a low hemoglobin or hematocrit. Hemoglobin is the main protein in your red blood cells. It carries oxygen, and delivers it throughout your body. If you have anemia, your hemoglobin level will be low too. If it is low enough, your tissues or organs may not get enough oxygen. Symptoms of anemia -- like fatigue or shortness of breath -- happen because your organs aren't getting what they need to work the way they should.

Anemia is the most common blood condition in the U.S. It affects almost 6% of the population. Women, young children, and people with long-term diseases are more likely to have anemia. Important things to remember are:

Certain forms of anemia are passed down through your genes, and infants may have it from birth.

Women are at risk of iron-deficiency anemia because of blood loss from their periods and higher blood supply demands during pregnancy.

Older adults have a greater risk of anemia because they are more likely to have kidney disease or other chronic medical conditions.

There are many types of anemia. All have different causes and treatments. Some forms -- like the mild anemia that happens during pregnancy - aren’t a major concern. But some types of anemia maymay reflect a serious underlying medical condition

Anemia Symptoms

The signs of anemia can be so mild that you might not even notice them. At a certain point, as your blood cells decrease, symptoms often develop. Depending on the cause of the anemia, symptoms may include:

Dizziness, lightheadness, or feeling like you are about to pass out

Fast or unusual heartbeat

Headache

Pain, including in your bones, chest, belly, and joints

Problems with growth, for children and teens

Shortness of breath

Skin that’s pale or yellow

Cold hands and feet

Tiredness or weakness

What is thalassemia?

Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder in which the body makes an abnormal form of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the protein molecule in red blood cells that carries oxygen. The disorder results in excessive destruction of red blood cells, which leads to anemia. Anemia is a condition in which your body doesn’t have enough normal, healthy red blood cells. Thalassemia is inherited, meaning that at least one of your parents must be a carrier of the disorder. It’s caused by either a genetic mutation or a deletion of certain key gene fragments.

Thalassemia minor is a less serious form of the disorder. There are two main forms of thalassemia that are more serious. In alpha thalassemia, at least one of the alpha globin genes has a mutation or abnormality. In beta thalassemia, the beta globin genes are affected.
Each of these forms of thalassemia has different subtypes. The exact form you have will affect the severity of your symptoms and your outlook.

Symptoms of thalassemia

The symptoms of thalassemia can vary. Some of the most common ones include:

bone deformities, especially in the face

dark urine

delayed growth and development

excessive tiredness and fatigue

yellow or pale skin

Not everyone has visible symptoms of thalassemia. Signs of the disorder also tend to show up later in childhood or adolescence.