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Hemolytic anemia

Alternative Names: Anemia - hemolytic Symptoms: Chills Fatigue Pale skin color Shortness of breath Rapid heart rate Yellow skin color (jaundice) Dark urine Enlarged spleen Signs and tests: These are tests for hemolysis (red blood cell destruction). There are specific tests which identify the specific types of hemolytic anemia. They are performed after hemolysis has been established. Elevated indirect bilirubin levels Low serum haptoglobin Hemoglobin in the urine Hemosiderin in the urine Increased urine and fecal urobilinogen Elevated absolute reticulocyte count Low red blood cell count (RBC) and hemoglobin Elevated serum LDH Text Continues Below Direct measurement of the red cell life span by isotopic tagging techniques shows a decreased life span. This disease may also alter the following test results depending on the specific cause: Uric acid TIBC RBC indices Protein electrophoresis - serum Potassium test Platelet count Peripheral smear Leukocyte alkaline phosphatase Serum iron Hematocrit Ferritin Febrile or cold agglutinins Donath-Landsteiner test Coombs' test, indirect Coombs' test, direct CBC Blood differential AST 24-hour urine protein

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