Blood Channel
Topics
Medications
Quicklinks
Related Channels
Symptoms of Thalassemia
People who are carriers of thalassemia trait (alpha or beta) generally do not have any signs or symptoms. However, a mild form of anemia may be present, usually diagnosed through a blood test. Severe problems that may occur in someone with thalassemia include fatigue, pale skin, protruding abdomen, dark urine, and abnormal facial bones.
The symptoms of thalassemia depend on the type and severity of the disease. Symptoms typically occur when oxygen does not get to various parts of the body due to low hemoglobin and a shortage of red blood cells in the blood (a condition called anemia).
People with alpha thalassemia trait or beta thalassemia trait (also called carriers) usually have no symptoms. However, people with alpha or beta thalassemia trait often have mild anemia that may be found by a blood test.
In more severe types of thalassemia, such as Cooley's anemia, symptoms may include:
- Fatigue and weakness
- Pale skin or jaundice (yellowing of the skin)
- Protruding abdomen with enlarged spleen and liver
- Dark urine
- Abnormal facial bones and poor growth.
Infants who have the most severe type of alpha thalassemia (hydrops fetalis) generally die either before or soon after birth.
Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD