Thalassemia minor is an inherited form of hemolytic anemia that is
less severe than thalassemia major. This blood smear from an
individual with thalassemia shows small (microcytic), pale
(hypochromic), variously-shaped (poikilocytosis) red blood cells.
These small red blood cells (RBCs) are able to carry less oxygen
than normal RBCs.
Review Date: 01/31/2010
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of
Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of
Medicine; and Yi-Bin Chen, MD, Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant
Program, Massachusetts General Hospital; and David Zieve, MD, MHA,
Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
