Hemolytic Anemia

RBCs lyse within blood vessels
  • Many etiologies
  • May present with jaundice

Normocytic (MCV 80-100)

Diagnosis:
  • High reticulocyte count (~10%) (no anemia: reticulocytes <1%)
  • ↑ Indirect Bilirubin (i.e. unconjugated)
  • ↑ LDH
  • ↓ haptglobin
Order a manual Peripheral Smear (by lab pathologist)
  • Visualizes hemolyzed RBCs to clinch the Dx
  • Can help identify cause of Hemolysis

See posting Anemia – 3.