Red Blood Cell Disorders

There are many different types of Red Blood Cell Disorders, including conditions that affect the production, components, and abilities of RBCs. Dysfunction of RBCs can lead to several issues in the body.

RBC disorders are conditions that affect red blood cells, the cells of blood that carry oxygen from the lungs to all parts of the body.

Common symptoms of RBC disorders

Symptoms of RBC disorders can vary depending on their type, severity, and how they affect the cells. However, as these disorders affect the functioning of RBCs, some symptoms may overlap. Symptoms that may occur with various RBC disorders include:

• Weakness
• Fatigue
• Yellowing of the skin
• Shortness of breath
• Feeling faint
• Rapid heartbeat
• Trouble focusing
• Numbness in the feet
• Jaundice

There are many different types of red blood cell disorders, including:

• Anemia
• Red cell enzyme deficiencies
• Hemoglobinopathies (e.g. Sickle cell disease)
• Hemolytic anemia
• Hemochromatosis
• Nutritional anemia (e.g. Iron deficiency anemia, and folate deficiency)
• Red cell membrane disorders (e.g. Hereditary spherocytosis)
• Disorders of heme production (e.g. Sideroblastic anemia)
• Polycythemia (too many red blood cells)

Blood Disorders Affecting Red Blood Cells

Blood disorders that affect red blood cells include:

Anemia: It is defined as a low number of red blood cells. In a routine blood test, anemia is reported as low hemoglobin or hematocrit. Hemoglobin is the main protein in your red blood cells. It carries oxygen and delivers it throughout your body. If you have anemia, your hemoglobin level will be low too. If it is low enough, your tissues or organs may not get enough oxygen.

Iron-deficiency anemia: Iron is very important in maintaining many body functions, including the production of hemoglobin, the molecule in your blood that carries oxygen. Iron is also necessary to maintain healthy cells, skin, hair, and nails.

In women of childbearing age, a common cause of iron deficiency anemia is a loss of iron in the blood due to heavy menstruation or pregnancy. A poor diet, or certain intestinal diseases that affect how the body absorbs iron, can also cause iron-deficiency anemia.

Anemia of chronic inflammation: Anemia of chronic disease, also called the anemia of inflammation, is a condition that can be associated with many different underlying disorders including chronic illnesses such as cancer, certain infections, and autoimmune and inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.

Aplastic anemia: When you have the rare but treatable disorder known as aplastic anemia, your marrow — the spongy stuff inside your bones — stops making new blood cells. Aplastic anemia is a condition that occurs when your body stops producing enough new blood cells. The condition leaves you fatigued and more prone to infections and uncontrolled bleeding.

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia: Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA), or immune hemolytic anemia, happens when the immune system does not work properly. It mistakes red blood cells for unwanted substances and attacks them, causing them to die early.

Thalassemia: Thalassemia is a blood disorder passed down through families (inherited) in which the body makes an abnormal form or inadequate amount of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. The disorder results in large numbers of red blood cells being destroyed, which leads to anemia.

Sickle cell anemia: Sickle cell disease is a group of disorders that affects hemoglobin, the molecule in red blood cells that delivers oxygen to cells throughout the body.

There’s no cure for most people with sickle cell anemia. But treatments can relieve pain and help prevent complications associated with the disease.

Pernicious anemia (B12 deficiency): Vitamin B-12 deficiency anemia is a condition in which your body doesn’t have enough healthy red blood cells because of a lack of vitamin B-12. This vitamin is needed to make red blood cells.

Polycythemia Vera: The body produces too many blood cells, from an unknown cause. The excess red blood cells usually create no problems but may cause blood clots in some people.