Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia laboratory findings

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Laboratory Findings

Blood Tests

Laboratory findings consistent with the diagnosis of microangiopathic hemolytic anemia include:

Complete Blood Count

• Normochromic normocytic anemia
• Thrombocytopenia usually significant with platelet count less than 20,000/μL.
• High reticulocyte count
• Raised red ce distribution width
• Raised mean platelet volume

Peripheral Blood Smear

• Red cell polychromasia, anisocytosis, and normochromic appearance with a lack of central pallor.
• As red blood cells travel through these damaged vessels, they are shredded. The result is [[red cell] fragmentation and intravascular hemolysis. Under the microscope, damaged red cells have the appearance of schistocytes. It includes helmet cells, irregular projections, and crescent-shape.
• Automated analysers (the machines that perform routine full blood counts in most hospitals) are generally programmed to flag blood films that display red blood cell fragments or schistocytes.