Etymed
hemoglobinopathy
Definition
A disease or disorder of hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells
Clinical context
A 25-year-old woman presents with fatigue, shortness of breath, and pale skin. Laboratory studies reveal microcytic anemia with low hemoglobin levels. Further testing shows abnormal hemoglobin electrophoresis. She is diagnosed with sickle cell disease, a common hemoglobinopathy. A family history reveals that her brother has the same condition.
Mnemonic
HEMOGLOBIN = HEMOLYSIS, ERYTHROCYTE, MISMATCH, GENE, LYSIS, BLOOD, ILLNESS, ONES, NORMALLY, HEMOLYTIC, BLOOD, ORGANISM, GENETIC, LYSIS, OXYGEN, BLOOD, INFLAMMATION, HEMOLYTIC