What is Hemolytic Anemia

Hemolytic anemia happens when your red blood cells are destroyed faster than they are made.

Anemia is a condition in which you do not have enough red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout your body. There are many types of hemolytic anemia, and each type is either inherited or acquired:

• Inherited. These are due to a gene that your parents passed on to you. The abnormal cells may break down while moving through the body system that includes your heart, blood, lymph fluid, and blood vessels (circulatory system). Your spleen may remove the abnormal blood cells and traces of destroyed blood cells (debris) from your bloodstream.
• Acquired. These happen when your red blood cells are destroyed either by certain medicines that you have used or as a result of infections or medical conditions that you have.

What are the causes?

The destruction of red blood cells in your body causes this condition. Sometimes the cause is not known. Known causes include:

• Inherited disorders, such as sickle cell anemia and hemoglobin disorder (thalassemia).
• Use of certain medicines.
• Blood infection (septicemia).
• Exposure to poisonous (toxic) chemicals or excessive radiation.
• Reactions to blood transfusions.
• Certain immune disorders.
• Artificial heart valves.
• Enlarged spleen.
• Hemodialysis. This is a treatment for kidney failure.
• Cancer.

What are the signs or symptoms?

Symptoms of this condition include:

• Pale skin, eyes, and fingernails.
• Irregular or fast heartbeat.
• Headaches.
• Tiredness (fatigue) and weakness.
• Dizziness or fainting.
• Shortness of breath.
• Yellowing of the skin or the white parts of the eyes (jaundice).
• Chest pain.
• Cold hands and feet.
• Problems with memory and thinking.

How is this diagnosed?

This condition is diagnosed based on a physical exam and your symptoms. You may also have tests, including:

• Blood tests. You may have a complete blood count (CBC).
• Urine tests.
• Bone marrow tissue exam (biopsy).

How is this treated?

Treatment depends on the cause of your condition. Treatment may include:

• Medicines.
• Blood transfusions.
• Purification of blood to remove antibodies (plasmapheresis).
• Blood and bone marrow stem cell transplant.
• Surgery to remove the spleen.
• Diet changes and supplements. You may need to take folic acid and iron.

Follow these instructions at home:

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider. These include any iron or other supplements.
• If you were prescribed an antibiotic medicine, take it as told by your health care provider. Do not stop taking the antibiotic even if you start to feel better.
• Prevent infection and lower your risk of getting sick by:
  • Avoiding people who are sick.
  • Getting a flu shot and pneumonia shot, if told by your health care provider.
  • Not eating or drinking foods that are more likely to have bacteria in them, such as raw or uncooked fish or meat.
  • Washing your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

• You become dizzy or tired easily.
• Your skin looks pale.
• You feel your heart beating faster than normal.
• You feel like your heart has skipped beats or stopped beating (irregular heartbeat).

Get help right away if:

• Your skin and the white parts of your eyes turn yellow.
• You develop chest pain.
• You become short of breath.
• You faint.
• You develop an uncontrolled cough.

Summary

• Anemia is a condition in which you do not have enough red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout your body.
• Hemolytic anemia happens when your red blood cells are destroyed faster than they are made.
• Treatment depends on the cause of your condition.
• Take actions to prevent infection and lower your risk of getting sick, such as avoiding people who are sick, getting shots as directed, avoiding raw or uncooked foods, and washing your hands often with soap and water.