{"id":5963,"date":"2023-05-08T11:08:59","date_gmt":"2023-05-08T05:38:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/blog\/?p=5963"},"modified":"2023-10-12T10:40:06","modified_gmt":"2023-10-12T05:10:06","slug":"thalassemia-causes-symptoms-diagnosis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/blog\/thalassemia-causes-symptoms-diagnosis\/","title":{"rendered":"Thalassemia: Causes, Symptoms & Diagnosis"},"content":{"rendered":"

Thalassemia is a genetic blood disorder that affects the production of hemoglobin, the protein responsible for carrying oxygen in the blood. It is a type of anemia<\/a> <\/span>that causes fatigue, weakness, and other health complications. Thalassemia is a common genetic disorder in people of Mediterranean, African, and Southeast Asian descent. In this article, we will discuss the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for thalassemia.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"world-thalassemia-day\"<\/span><\/b><\/b><\/h2>\n

Thalassemia<\/span><\/b>\u00a0Causes<\/span><\/h2>\n

Thalassemia is caused by mutations in the genes that control the production of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is composed of four protein subunits, two alpha chains, and two beta chains. Thalassemia occurs when there is a defect in the genes that control the production of these alpha and beta chains. The severity of thalassemia depends on the number and type of mutations present in the genes.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Thalassemia can be inherited from one or both parents. If both parents carry thalassemia genes, their child has a higher risk of developing thalassemia.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Thalassemia Types<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n

There are two main types of thalassemia: alpha thalassemia and beta thalassemia. Both types of thalassemia are inherited and result from mutations in the genes responsible for producing hemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen in the blood.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Alpha thalassemia<\/span><\/b><\/h3>\n

Alpha thalassemia occurs when there is a mutation or deletion in one or more of the four alpha-globin genes. The severity of alpha thalassemia depends on the number of alpha-globin genes affected.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There are four types of alpha thalassemia:<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n