Contents:
- Medical Video: Johns Hopkins Medicine | Aplastic Anemia
- Complete Blood Count (CBC)
- Reticulocyte count
- Peripheral smear
- Coombs' test
- Haptoglobin test, bilirubin, and liver function
- Hemoglobin electrophoresis
- Test for paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH)
- Osmotic fragility test
- Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) test deficiency
- Urine test
- Bone marrow test
- Other tests to find the cause of anemia
- Sickle anemia test and G6PD deficiency for babies
Medical Video: Johns Hopkins Medicine | Aplastic Anemia
Many tests are used to diagnose hemolytic anemia. These tests can help diagnose, look for causes, and find out how severe the condition is.
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
In many cases, the initial test used to diagnose anemia is blood count count (CBC). CBC can measure parts of your blood.
This test checks hemoglobin and hematocrit levels. Hemoglobin is an iron-rich protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to the body, while hematocrit is a measure of the space of red blood cells in your blood. Low levels of hemoglobin or hematocrit are a sign of anemia.
The normal range of hemoglobin and hematocrit levels can vary depending on certain racial and ethnic populations. The doctor will explain your test results in full.
CBC is also used to check the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in the blood. Abnormal results are a sign of hemolytic anemia, other blood disorders, infections, or other conditions.
In addition, CBC can check mean corpuscular volume (MCV). MCV is the average size of red blood cells. The results can be used as a clue to the cause of your anemia.
If CBC results indicate that you have anemia, you may need another blood test to find out the type and severity of anemia you have.
Reticulocyte count
Reticulocyte count measure the number of pink blood cells in your blood. This test will evaluate the performance of your bone marrow in making red blood cells normally.
People who experience hemolytic anemia usually have high reticulocyte counts because their bone marrow works hard to replace destroyed red blood cells.
Peripheral smear
For this test, your doctor will examine the red blood cells through a microscope. Some types of hemolytic anemia change the normal shape of red blood cells.
Coombs' test
This test can indicate the presence or absence of antibodies made by the body to destroy red blood cells.
Haptoglobin test, bilirubin, and liver function
When it breaks, red blood cells release hemoglobin into the bloodstream. Hemoglobin joins a chemical called haptoglobin. Low levels of haptoglobin in the bloodstream are a sign of hemolytic anemia.
Hemoglobin is broken down into compounds called bilirubin. High levels of bilirubin in the bloodstream may be a sign of hemolytic anemia. High levels of these compounds also occur due to several liver and gallbladder diseases. Thus, you may need a liver function test to find out the cause of high levels of bilirubin in your body.
Hemoglobin electrophoresis
This test specifically checks various types of hemoglobin in your blood. This can help diagnose the type of anemia you have.
Test for paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH)
PNH is used to detect red blood cells that lose certain proteins.
Osmotic fragility test
This test is done to look for red blood cells that are more fragile than normal red blood cells. These cells may be a sign hereditary spherocytosis (type of hereditary hemolytic anemia).
Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) test deficiency
In the case of G6PD deficiency, red blood cells lose an important enzyme called G6PD. This test is used to look for enzymes lost in blood samples.
Urine test
A urine test will detect the presence of free hemoglobin (a protein that carries oxygen in the blood) and iron.
Bone marrow test
The bone marrow test can show the performance of your healthy bone marrow in making enough blood cells. The bone marrow test is divided into two, namely aspiration and biopsy.
For aspiration of the bone marrow, the doctor will take a small amount of fluid from the bone marrow through a needle. The sample is examined under a microscope to examine damaged cells.
Meanwhile, bone marrow biopsy can be done simultaneously or after aspiration. For this test, the doctor will take a small amount of bone marrow tissue through a needle. Tissue samples are examined to determine the number and type of cells in the bone marrow.
You may not need to undergo a bone marrow test if the blood test has shown the cause of hemolytic anemia.
Other tests to find the cause of anemia
Because anemia has many causes, you may be tested for conditions such as:
- Kidney failure
- Lead poisoning
- Vitamin or iron deficiency
Sickle anemia test and G6PD deficiency for babies
In some countries, sickle cell anemia tests and D6PD deficiency have been recommended for newborns. This type of hereditary hemolytic anemia can be detected through routine blood tests.
It is important to diagnose hemolytic anemia as early as possible so that children can get the right treatment.
