Hemolytic anemia laboratory findings: Difference between revisions
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
__NOTOC__ | __NOTOC__ | ||
{{Hemolytic anemia}} | {{Hemolytic anemia}} | ||
{{CMG}} | {{CMG}} | ||
==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
[[Hemolytic anemia]] is [[anemia]] caused secondary to shortened survival of circulating red blood cells. The normal life span of RBCs is 110 to 120 days. RBC destruction before that time is defined as hemolytic anemia. As opposed to the normal senecence of RBC, the random hemolysis (premature RBC death) is increased in hemolytic anemia. | [[Hemolytic anemia]] is [[anemia]] caused secondary to shortened survival of circulating red blood cells. The normal life span of RBCs is 110 to 120 days. RBC destruction before that time is defined as hemolytic anemia. As opposed to the normal senecence of RBC, the random hemolysis (premature RBC death) is increased in hemolytic anemia. | ||
==Laboratory Findings== | ==Laboratory Findings== | ||
===Peripheral blood smear=== | |||
* Fragments of the red blood cells ("[[schistocyte]]s") can be present. | |||
* Some red blood cells may appear smaller and rounder than usual ([[spherocyte]]s). | |||
* [[Reticulocytosis|Reticulocytes]] are present in elevated numbers. This may be overlooked if a special [[staining (biology)|stain]] is not used | |||
===Absolute reticulocyte count=== | ===Absolute reticulocyte count=== | ||
The normal values are: | The normal values are: | ||
| Line 14: | Line 15: | ||
* Reticulocyte count - 0.5 -1.5 % | * Reticulocyte count - 0.5 -1.5 % | ||
* Absolute reticulocyte count - 25,000 to 75,000/microLitre | * Absolute reticulocyte count - 25,000 to 75,000/microLitre | ||
===Other lab tests=== | ===Other lab tests=== | ||
* Elevated [[lactate dehydrogenase]] (LDH) | * Elevated [[lactate dehydrogenase]] (LDH) | ||
* Elevated [[haptoglobin]] | * Elevated [[haptoglobin]] | ||
* The direct [[Coombs test]] is positive if hemolysis is caused by an immune process | * The direct [[Coombs test]] is positive if hemolysis is caused by an immune process | ||
===Liver function test=== | |||
* The level of unconjugated [[bilirubin]] in the blood is elevated. This may lead to [[jaundice]]. | |||
===Urinalysis=== | ===Urinalysis=== | ||
* Hemosiderin in the urine indicates chronic intravascular hemolysis. | * Hemosiderin in the urine indicates chronic intravascular hemolysis. | ||
Revision as of 14:16, 25 September 2012
|
Hemolytic anemia Microchapters |
|
Diagnosis |
|---|
|
Treatment |
|
Case Studies |
|
Hemolytic anemia laboratory findings On the Web |
|
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Hemolytic anemia laboratory findings |
|
Risk calculators and risk factors for Hemolytic anemia laboratory findings |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Hemolytic anemia is anemia caused secondary to shortened survival of circulating red blood cells. The normal life span of RBCs is 110 to 120 days. RBC destruction before that time is defined as hemolytic anemia. As opposed to the normal senecence of RBC, the random hemolysis (premature RBC death) is increased in hemolytic anemia.
Laboratory Findings
Peripheral blood smear
- Fragments of the red blood cells ("schistocytes") can be present.
- Some red blood cells may appear smaller and rounder than usual (spherocytes).
- Reticulocytes are present in elevated numbers. This may be overlooked if a special stain is not used
Absolute reticulocyte count
The normal values are:
- RBC count - 5 million/microLitre
- Reticulocyte count - 0.5 -1.5 %
- Absolute reticulocyte count - 25,000 to 75,000/microLitre
Other lab tests
- Elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)
- Elevated haptoglobin
- The direct Coombs test is positive if hemolysis is caused by an immune process
Liver function test
Urinalysis
- Hemosiderin in the urine indicates chronic intravascular hemolysis.
- There is also urobilinogen in the urine.
(Images shown below are courtesy of Melih Aktan MD, Istanbul Medical Faculty - Turkey, and Hospital Universitario La Fe Servicio Hematologia)
-
Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia -
Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia
