Hemolytic anemia is a blood disorder. It is of two kinds. One is acquired and the other is genetic. When the rate of removal of damaged red blood cells by the spleen is increased compared to the rate of formation of new red blood cells by the bone marrow, anemia develops.
The signs and symptoms can vary depending on the type of hemolytic anemia. Usually a person feels fatigued and tired. He might also present with jaundice. Enlargement of spleen is found as well. There might be some pallor in the skin and mucous membranes.
There are several laboratory tests available to prove if you have hemolytic anemia. A simple peripheral blood smear can show the amount of abnormal blood cells. The level of unconjugated bilirubin and level of lactate dehydrogenase enzyme would be higher than normal. There could be a presence of urobilinogen in the urine due to high bilirubin output after the destruction of red blood cells.
A positive direct Coomb's Test will indicate autoimmune destruction. In this type of hemolytic anemia the auto-antibodies of your body attack the red blood cells and destroy them.
Hemolytic anemia could also result as a side effect of a drug. There are certain drugs which are responsible for causing it. If you are taking one of these drugs, it should immediately be stopped or alternated by a different drug which does not cause the same symptoms.
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