D56.3: Thalassaemia trait

You have the genetic information for a disorder where the body is not producing red hemoglobin properly.

When beginning its development, every single cell in the body contains a complete blueprint of the body. This blueprint consists of genetic information. The genetic information is encrypted in the chromosomes. Every human cell normally contains 23 chromosome pairs, i.e. a total of 46 chromosomes.

Blood is made up of a liquid part and different blood cells, among other things. The blood cells include the red blood cells, the white blood cells and the platelets. The red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs throughout the body. Red blood cells contain the red hemoglobin that gives blood its color. This pigment is important for carrying oxygen in the blood.

If red hemoglobin is not produced correctly, you can have too little red hemoglobin. The disorder is hereditary. Other family members may be affected, or the disorder can be passed on to one’s children. You yourself carry the genetic information for the illness. When someone only carries the genetic information for the illness in them, they usually have no symptoms or just mild symptoms.

Additional indicator

On medical documents, the ICD code is often appended by letters that indicate the diagnostic certainty or the affected side of the body.

  • G: Confirmed diagnosis
  • V: Tentative diagnosis
  • Z: Condition after
  • A: Excluded diagnosis
  • L: Left
  • R: Right
  • B: Both sides

Further information

Note

This information is not intended for self-diagnosis and does not replace professional medical advice from a doctor. If you find an ICD code on a personal medical document, please also note the additional indicator used for diagnostic confidence.
Your doctor will assist you with any health-related questions and explain the ICD diagnosis code to you in a direct consultation if necessary.

Source

Provided by the non-profit organization “Was hab’ ich?” gemeinnützige GmbH on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Health (BMG).

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