Thalassemia

Definition

Thalassemia is a genetic blood disorder characterized by less hemoglobin and fewer red blood cells in your body than normal. Hemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen, and the disorder results in excessive destruction of red blood cells, which leads to anemia.

Related terms

Anemia: A condition characterized by a deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin in the blood, leading to fatigue and weakness.

Hemoglobin: A protein molecule in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues and returns carbon dioxide from the tissues back to the lungs.

Genetic Disorder: A disease caused in whole or in part by a change in the DNA sequence away from the normal sequence