Hemolytic AnemiaSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Hemolytic Anemia
View Main Condition: Anemia
Anemia is a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells provide oxygen to body tissues.
Normally, red blood cells last for about 120 days in the body. In people with hemolytic anemia, red blood cells in the blood are destroyed earlier than normal.
Anemia - hemolytic
The bone marrow is mostly responsible for making new red cells. Bone marrow is the soft tissue in the center of bones that helps form all blood cells.
Hemolytic anemia occurs when the bone marrow isn't making enough red cells to replace the ones that are being destroyed.
There are several possible causes of hemolytic anemia. Red blood cells may be destroyed due to:
- An autoimmune problem in which the immune system mistakenly sees your own red blood cells as foreign substances and destroys them
- Defects in the hemoglobin molecules inside red blood cells
- Defects of the proteins that make up the internal framework of red blood cells
- Exposure to certain chemicals, medicines, and toxins
- Infections
- Blood clots in small blood vessels
- Transfusion of blood from a donor with a blood type that does not match yours
- Faulty, damaged, or artificial heart valves
You may not have symptoms if the anemia is mild. If the problem develops slowly, the first symptoms may be:
- Feeling weak or tired more often than usual, or with exercise
- Feelings that your heart is pounding or racing
- Headaches
- Problems concentrating or thinking
If the anemia gets worse, symptoms may include:
- Lightheadedness when you stand up
- Pale skin
- Shortness of breath
- Sore tongue
- Left upper abdominal pain due to an enlarged spleen
The treatment depends on the type and cause of the hemolytic anemia:
- In emergencies, a blood transfusion may be needed.
- For immune causes, medicines that suppress the immune system may be used.
- When blood cells are being destroyed at a fast pace, the body may need extra folic acid and iron supplements to replace what is being lost.
In rare cases, surgery is needed to take out the spleen. This is because the spleen acts as a filter that removes abnormal cells from the blood.
Jefferson Hematology - Honickman Center
Sophie Lanzkron is a Hematologist practicing medicine in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Lanzkron is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hemolytic Anemia. She is also highly rated in 11 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Sickle Cell Disease, Hemoglobinopathy, Congenital Hemolytic Anemia, and Hemolytic Anemia. Dr. Lanzkron is board certified in Hematology. Dr. Lanzkron is currently accepting new patients.
Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center
Dr. Robert Brodsky is a professor of medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. His area of clinical expertise is classical hematology and haploidentical bone marrow transplant for sickle cell disease and aplastic anemia. Dr. Brodsky serves as the director of the Division of Hematology and the T32 Training Program. He is the Johns Hopkins Family Professor of Medicine and Oncology. He received his M.D. from Hahnemann University. He completed his residency at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. He performed a fellowship in hematology at the National Institutes of Health and a fellowship in oncology at Johns Hopkins. He joined the Johns Hopkins faculty in 1997. From 2017 to 2022 he served as Associate Editor to The Journal of Clinical Investigation (JCI) and Secretary to American Society of Hematology (ASH). He serves as President of The American Society of Hematology (ASH) in 2023. Dr. Brodsky is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hemolytic Anemia. He is also highly rated in 29 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH), Paroxysmal Cold Hemoglobinuria, Anemia, Bone Marrow Transplant, and Splenectomy. Dr. Brodsky is board certified in American Board Of Internal Medicine.
Duke Adult Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center - Clinic 2N
Marilyn Telen is a Hematologist practicing medicine in Durham, North Carolina. She has been practicing medicine for over 53 years. Dr. Telen is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hemolytic Anemia. She is also highly rated in 7 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Sickle Cell Disease, Congenital Hemolytic Anemia, Hemoglobinopathy, and Hemolytic Anemia. Dr. Telen is board certified in American Board Of Internal Med, Hematology/Oncology and American Board Of Internal Med, Internal Medicine.
The outcome depends on the type and cause of hemolytic anemia. Severe anemia can make heart disease, lung disease, or cerebrovascular disease worse.
Contact your health care provider if you develop symptoms of hemolytic anemia.
Summary: This study is researching a treatment combination with two experimental drugs called pozelimab and cemdisiran referred to as study drugs. Researchers are looking for a better way to treat Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH). The aim of the study is to see how well the pozelimab and cemdisiran combination works to lower hemolysis in participants whose PNH has been not well controlled even aft...
Summary: This study is not a treatment protocol and no experimental treatments are involved. Study participants may be seen as needed for clinical, translational and basic research studies, or as medically indicated. Subjects will receive their general medical care outside the NIH and will be seen at our clinic or at CNHS with varying frequency. Subjects may be seen for multiple visits. Subjects may be ask...
Published Date: January 29, 2026
Published By: Warren Brenner, MD, Oncologist, Lynn Cancer Institute, Boca Raton, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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