Clinical Information

Unstable hemoglobin disease is rare and may be caused by any one of a large number of hemoglobin variants. They are inherited as autosomal dominant traits. The severity of the disease varies according to the hemoglobin variant; there may be no clinical symptoms, or the disease may produce a mild, moderate, or severe hemolytic anemia.

The stained peripheral blood smear shows anisocytosis, poikilocytosis, basophilic stippling, polychromasia and, sometimes, hypochromia. The reticulocyte count may be increased. Splenomegaly and Heinz bodies may also be present.