

What are the symptoms of beta thalassemia?ĭifferent people will have different symptoms, based on which type of the disorder is inherited.īeta thalassemia major: This is the most severe type of this disorder. The only risk factor is having a family history of the disease. Who is at risk for beta thalassemia?īeta thalassemia is a genetic disease inherited from one or both parents. You may need to see a blood disorder specialist, called a hematologist. So it is important to get the right diagnosis. This happens when a lack of iron is believed to cause their anemia. Many people with this disorder are given iron replacement by mistake. Thalassemia intermedia: This causes moderate to severe anemia. Thalassemia minima: There are few or no symptoms. If the other parent is not affected, their children will also have this form of the disorder. People with this type have a 50% chance of passing the gene to their children.


They may not live a normal lifespan.īeta thalassemia minor or thalassemia trait. People with this condition will need frequent blood transfusions. This is the most severe form of this disorder. There are several types of this disorder:īeta thalassemia major (Cooley’s anemia). What causes beta thalassemia?īeta thalassemia is caused by damaged or missing genes. The severity and type of anemia depends on how many genes are affected.

Anemia occurs when your body does not have enough red blood cells or hemoglobin. Thalassemia can cause mild or severe anemia. Different genes are affected for each type. There are two main types of thalassemia: alpha and beta. It carries oxygen to all parts of the body. Hemoglobin is an iron-rich protein in red blood cells. When you have thalassemia, your body makes less hemoglobin than normal. This means it is passed down from one or both parents through their genes. Thalassemia (thal-uh-SEE-mee-uh) is a blood disorder that is inherited.
