Serious Warning Signs Of Thalassemia

Thalassemia is a hereditary blood disorder where the body does not make enough hemoglobin or protein that binds with and carries oxygen throughout the body. Without enough hemoglobin, red blood cells have a shorter lifespan and cannot properly oxygenate the body's cells. The body cannot produce hemoglobin without both of its components called alpha and beta. When an individual doesn't have enough beta, they have beta thalassemia, and when they don't have enough alpha, they have alpha thalassemia. This disorder is inherited from an individual's parents. Four genes in an individual's DNA make up the alpha hemoglobin chain, and two make up the beta hemoglobin chain.