Red blood cells normally live for 110 to 120 days. After that, they naturally break down and are most often removed from the circulation by the spleen.
Some diseases and processes cause red blood cells to break down too soon. This requires the bone marrow to make more red blood cells than normal. The balance between red blood cell breakdown and production determines how low the red blood cell count becomes.
Conditions that can cause hemolysis include:
Hemolysis is the breakdown of red blood cells.
Robert Brodsky is a Hematologist and an Oncologist in Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Brodsky has been practicing medicine for over 33 years and is rated as an Elite doctor by MediFind in the treatment of Hemolysis. He is also highly rated in 23 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria, Paroxysmal Cold Hemoglobinuria, Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria, and Hemolysis. He is licensed to treat patients in Maryland. Dr. Brodsky is currently accepting new patients.
Antonio Risitano is in Avellino, Italy. Risitano is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Hemolysis. He is also highly rated in 14 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Paroxysmal Cold Hemoglobinuria, Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria, Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria, and Hemolysis.
Victor Gordeuk is a Hematologist Oncology doctor in Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Gordeuk has been practicing medicine for over 47 years and is rated as an Elite doctor by MediFind in the treatment of Hemolysis. He is also highly rated in 16 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Sickle Cell Disease, Hemoglobinopathy, Congenital Hemolytic Anemia, and Hemolytic Anemia. He is licensed to treat patients in District of Columbia. Dr. Gordeuk is currently accepting new patients.
Published Date : February 06, 2020
Published By : Todd Gersten, MD, Hematology/Oncology, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, Wellington, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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Gregg XT, Prchal JT. Red blood cell enzymopathies. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ, Silberstein LE, et al, eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 44.
Mentzer WC, Schrier SL. Extrinsic nonimmune hemolytic anemias. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ, Silberstein LE, et al, eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 47.
Michel M. Autoimmune and intravascular hemolytic anemias. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 151.