What are the symptoms of thalassemia?
Your experience will be determined by the type of thalassemia you have and its severity.
Asymptomatic (no symptoms)
If you are missing one alpha gene, you are unlikely to experience symptoms. You may be asymptomatic if you lack two alpha genes or one beta gene. You may also experience moderate anemia symptoms such as tiredness.
Mild to moderate symptoms
Beta thalassemia intermedia can cause mild anemia or the following symptoms associated with more severe disease:
- Problems with expansion.
- Puberty is delayed.
- Osteoporosis is a type of bone abnormality.
- An enlarged spleen (the organ in your belly that aids in the fight against infection).
Severe symptoms
Severe anemia symptoms include those associated with mild to moderate illness. Other symptoms may include:
- Appetite problems.
- Jaundice is characterized by pale or yellowish complexion.
- Urine with a dark or tea-colored color.
- Your face has an irregular bone structure.