Hemolytic anemia
- Article
- 2021-02-03
Hemolytic anemia is a blood disorder that occurs when your red blood cells are destroyed faster than they can be replaced.
Red blood cells develop in the bone marrow, the spongy tissue in your bones. Your body normally destroys old or faulty red blood cells in the spleen or other parts of your body through a process called hemolysis. Hemolytic anemia occurs when you have a low red blood cell count due to too much hemolysis in the body.
There are many types of hemolytic anemia, which doctors diagnose based on the underlying cause of your anemia. Certain conditions can cause hemolysis to occur too quickly or too often. Conditions that can lead to hemolytic anemia include inherited blood disorders such as sickle cell disease or thalassemia, autoimmune diseases, bone marrow failure, or infections. Some medications or side effects from blood transfusions can cause hemolytic anemia.
Hemolytic anemia can develop suddenly or slowly and can be mild or severe. Signs and symptoms may include fatigue, dizziness, palpitations, pale skin, headache, confusion, jaundice, and a spleen or liver that is larger than normal. Severe hemolytic anemia can cause chills, fever, back and abdominal pain, or shock. Severe haemolytic anemia that is not treated or controlled can lead to serious complications such as an irregular heart rhythm called arrhythmias; cardiomyopathy, where the heart grows larger than normal; or heart failure.
To diagnose hemolytic anemia, your doctor will perform a physical exam and order blood tests. Additional tests may include a urine test, a bone marrow test, or genetic testing. People diagnosed with mild hemolytic anemia may not need treatment at all. For others, hemolytic anemia can often be treated or controlled. Treatments may include lifestyle changes, medications, blood transfusions, blood and bone marrow transplants, or surgery to remove the spleen. If your hemolytic anemia is caused by medications or some other health condition, your doctor may change your treatment to control or stop the hemolytic anemia.
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