Haemoglobinopathies are a group of blood disorders and diseases that affect red blood cells. Red blood cells contain a protein called haemoglobin which gives blood its red colour. Haemoglobin contains iron, which makes it an excellent vehicle for transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Having a haemoglobinopathy means that your body does not carry oxygen very well because the haemoglobin are changed (mutated) and so they change the shape and the capacity of the red blood cell to carry gases around the body.
What red blood cells look like.
Donut looking are standard, the others are red blood cells affected by the disrupted haemoglobin within forming the sickle and/or flat shapes.
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