Serious Warning Signs Of Thalassemia

Fatigue And Weakness

Individuals with thalassemia often present with chronic fatigue and weakness. This fatigue and weakness occur when the patient experiences anemia as a complication of their condition. Anemia is a term used to characterize any individual who does not have enough functional, healthy red blood cells. Anemia can develop from numerous causes, including the effects of thalassemia on the body. Thalassemia patients cannot produce adequate amounts of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is required for red blood cells to perform their functions and live out their average lifespan. Because the red blood cells produced in individuals with thalassemia cannot carry oxygen and die quickly, they do not have enough healthy red blood cells. Anemia results in a low oxygen concentration in the blood because the small number of healthy red blood cells cannot deliver an oxygen supply to all of the tissues around the body. Without enough oxygen, cells are unable to convert nutrients into cellular energy. When there isn't enough cellular energy, the body uses what it has for the operation of vital functions. The shortage of energy in non-essential tissues causes the anemic individual to feel fatigued and weak.

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