It took years for me to be diagnosed with thalassemia when my GP found some of my blood results suspicious. Got treated for anaemia a few times before, and was refused for blood donations as well without being able to explain what was wrong. My blood tests said "anaemia", but my life experience said "all seems ok to me...?" - luckily I have a mild form, I just need to watch my diet a bit.

My dad also found out through my diagnosis why he kept getting those same signs in his tests... :) Eastern European medical system at its finest.