GDF-15 levels have been found to be elevated in patients with SCD, thalassemia (both major and intermediate), and the compound heterozygotes HbS/βthal and to correlate with endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis in the transfusion-dependent form (tdt) beta-thalassemia [59,60]. The gene discussed is GDF15; the disease is Schnyder corneal dystrophy.