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
- Genetic variations within the red cells (such as sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, and G6PD deficiency)
- 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
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.
Wellstar Medical Group LLC
Abdullah Kutlar is a Hematologist Oncology specialist and a Hematologist in Augusta, Georgia. Dr. Kutlar is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hemolytic Anemia. His top areas of expertise are Sickle Cell Disease, Hemoglobinopathy, Hemolytic Anemia, Congenital Hemolytic Anemia, and Bone Marrow Aspiration. Dr. Kutlar is currently accepting new patients.
Duke Adult Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center - Clinic 2N
Marilyn Telen is a Hematologist in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Telen has been practicing medicine for over 52 years and is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hemolytic Anemia. Her top areas of expertise are Sickle Cell Disease, Congenital Hemolytic Anemia, Hemoglobinopathy, and Hemolytic Anemia.
Classical Hematology
Enrico M. Novelli, MD, is a classical (benign) hematologist, the Chief of the Section of Benign Hematology, and the medical director of the UPMC Adult Sickle Cell Disease Program. Board-certified in hematology, Dr. Novelli received his medical degree from the University of Milan, Italy. He completed his residency in internal medicine and fellowship in hematology-oncology at UPMC. Dr. Novelli specializes in sickle cell anemia and hemoglobinopathies. Dr. Novelli is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hemolytic Anemia. His top areas of expertise are Sickle Cell Disease, Hemoglobinopathy, Congenital Hemolytic Anemia, and Hemolytic Anemia.
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: The purpose of this study is to evaluate efficacy and safety of ianalumab compared to placebo in patients with warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia, who failed at least one line of treatment.
Summary: This is a single-dose, open-label study in pediatric participants with severe SCD and hydroxyurea (HU) failure or intolerance. The study will evaluate the safety and efficacy of autologous CRISPR-Cas9 modified CD34+ human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (hHSPCs) (CTX001).
Published Date: March 31, 2024
Published By: Todd Gersten, MD, Hematology/Oncology, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, Wellington, 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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Mentzer WC, Schrier SL. Extrinsic nonimmune hemolytic anemia. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ, Silberstein LE, et al, eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 48.
Michel M, Jäger U. Autoimmune hemolytic anemia. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ, Silberstein LE, et al, eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 47.