The symptoms of hereditary spherocytosis vary depending on the severity of the disease. Most people with HS have mild or no anemia. In fact, many people are unaware that they have the mild form of the disease. Some will have a normal or only slightly low hemoglobin level. The body compensates for having a low hemoglobin by making more red blood cells. This process can be measured by the reticulocyte count. Reticulocytes are young, immature red blood cells that are only seen in high numbers when there is a reason the body must push extra red cells out into the circulation. The retic count measures how hard the body is working to maintain the level of hemoglobin it has. The spleen may be enlarged in some individuals with HS.

The symptoms of spherocytosis are minor in some children, but for most children with this condition it is more serious. First they may get these common symptoms of anemia:
1. Pale skin, lips or nail beds compared to their normal color
2. Feeling tired or irritable
3. Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
4. Rapid heartbeat