What is thalassemia and differences between anemia and thalassemia?

See below: There are several thalassemias, which are disorders of the proteins in hemoglobin in the blood. This causes small blood cells. Most thalassemias are minor and don't cause any problems, and some are so serious you can't live with them. Anemia means a low blood count. Thalassemias are not really a low blood count, but they look like it because the cells are small.

Thalassemia: Thalassemia is a variable decrease in hemoglobin production. Anemia is a low hemoglobin level that can occur for many reasons. Everyone with thal will have decreased production, resulting in production of many small red blood cells. Not everyone with thal is anemic. Thal is variable, and its severity is largely dependent on the level of the hemoglobin.