D58.2: Other haemoglobinopathies

Blood is made up of a liquid part and different blood cells, among other things. The blood cells include the red blood cells, the white blood cells and the platelets. The red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs throughout the body. Red blood cells contain the red hemoglobin that gives blood its color. This pigment is important for carrying oxygen in the blood.

There are various disorders that involve an inability to form red hemoglobin correctly. The severity of the individual disorders can vary. You may have no symptoms, or just mild symptoms.

The disorder is hereditary. It is possible you just carry the genetic information for the disorder in you, without falling ill yourself. Other family members can also be affected.

If the red hemoglobin is not formed correctly, the red blood cells may be broken down too early. As a result, you may have too few red blood cells as a whole in your blood. The blood can then no longer transport as much oxygen. This can make you exhausted more quickly or get breathless.

The by-products from red blood cells can accumulate in certain parts of the body. resulting in the eyes or skin, for example, turning yellow in color.

Red blood cells are broken down in the spleen. The spleen is located in the top left of the abdomen. If the spleen breaks down more red blood cells than usual, it can become enlarged.