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Living with Sickle cell-hemoglobin E disease syndrome

A rare genetic blood condition that is usually mild, with small red blood cells and rare pain episodes.

Understanding Sickle cell-hemoglobin E disease syndrome

Sickle cell-hemoglobin E disease syndrome is a rare genetic blood condition (hemoglobinopathy) that is usually mild.

It is usually marked by mild breakdown of small red blood cells. Blocked blood vessels are very rare. GARD notes that severe problems have been reported, including blood in the urine, spleen damage, acute chest syndrome, pain episodes and temporary bone marrow damage.

Signs & symptoms

GARD doesn't list specific symptoms for this condition yet. Based on its summary, features include:

  • Mild breakdown of red blood cells
  • Small red blood cells
  • Blood in the urine (less common)
  • Episodes of pain (less common)

Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.

Diagnosis

  1. Talk with your doctor

    Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.

  2. See a specialist

    Specialists who may be involved include blood and bone marrow specialists and genetic specialists.

  3. Consider genetic testing

    Changes in HBB are linked to this condition. Genetic testing and counseling can help confirm a diagnosis and explain what it means for your family.

  4. Connect with expert centers

    Sickle Cell Disease Foundation may keep lists of experts for this condition.

Care & treatment

Care team
Blood and bone marrow specialists (hematologists); Genetic specialists (geneticists)
Expert care
Expert lists: Sickle Cell Disease Foundation
Treatment
GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
Research
Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.

General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.

Everyday life

Living with a rare condition is easier with support.

  • Connect with Sickle Cell Disease Association of America and other patient organizations
  • Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
  • Ask about patient registries that help research
  • Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Bring these questions to your next doctor visit
Which symptoms should lead me to call my doctor?
How often should blood counts be checked?
Could genetic testing help family members?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startany time in life
InheritanceAutosomal Recessive
GenesHBB

GARD lists changes in the HBB gene: one sickle change plus a hemoglobin E change. A child inherits a changed copy of the gene from each parent (autosomal recessive).

GeneticBlood

Also known as: double heterozygous for hb s + hb e; hbs-hbe disease; hbse disease; hemoglobin s-e disease; hemoglobin s/e disease; sickle cell anemia with hemoglobin e disease

Patient organizations

Source: NIH GARD · Sickle cell-hemoglobin E disease syndromeGARD ID 20700 · GARD page updated September 2026 · Plain-language summary by Know Rare; editorial review pending. General information, not medical advice.

You are more than your diagnosis

Perspectives from people navigating life with Sickle cell-hemoglobin E disease syndrome.

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