Red Blood Cell Disorders
Disease Information
In-Depth
What are red blood cell disorders?
Red blood cell disorders impact the red blood cells which are the parts of blood that carry oxygen from the lungs to all parts of the body.
Types of red blood cell disorders
A number of disorders can affect red blood cells, such as:
- hemolytic anemia
- hemochromatosis (condition that develops when too much iron builds up in the body)
- hemolytic disease of the newborn
- hereditary spherocytosis (rare blood disorder in which defects in the red blood cells cause them to be shaped like spheres and break down easily)
- iron deficiency anemia
- polycythemia
- red cell enzyme deficiencies
- red cell membrane disorders
What causes red blood cell disorders?
The cause of a red blood cell disorder depends on the condition affecting the cells.
Are red blood cell disorders common?
Some red blood cell disorders, such as iron deficiency anemia, are very common, while others, such as hemolytic disease of the newborn, are not.
What are the symptoms of red blood cell disorders?
Symptoms of a red blood cell disorder depend on the condition affecting the cells.
