Thalassemia is a blood disorder that causes the body to produce less hemoglobin — the protein that helps your red blood cells carry oxygen through the body. If your hemoglobin levels are low, you may develop anemia. What causes thalassemia? It is an inherited disorder — one that comes from a defective gene in both parents. There are two genes that produce beta-globin and four genes that produce hemoglobin. A malfunction in these genes can lead to thalassemia. There are two main types of thalassemia: alpha thalassemia and beta thalassemia. Beta is the most common form of the disease, and … Continue reading →