Red blood cell (RBC) problems are diseases that affects red blood cells. These cells of blood that carry oxygen from the lungs to all parts of the body. There are many different types of red blood cell disorders, including are nutritional anemia, sickle cell disease, Thalassemia, Hemolytic anemia, Polycythemia and others. Other side we have diseases like high production of red cells leads to a very high hemoglobin (HB) called polycythemia. These red cells can be affected in many other bone marrow disease like Pure red cell aplasia (PRCA), Aplastic anemia and blood cancers.
• Anemia
• Red cell enzyme deficiencies (e.g. G6PD)
• Red cell membrane disorders (e.g. hereditary spherocytosis)
• Hemoglobinopathies (e.g. sickle cell disease and thalassemia)
• Hemolytic anemia
• Nutritional anemias (e.g. iron deficiency anemia, and folate deficiency)
• Disorders of heme production (e.g. sideroblastic anemia)
• Polycythemia (too many red blood cells)
• Hemochromatosis
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
• Shortness of breath
• Feeling faint when standing up too quickly
• Rapid heartbeat
• Trouble focusing
• Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet
• Jaundice or yellowing of the skin