Hemolytic Anemia at 20x Magnification

Though the readily observable symptoms of hemolytic anemia are similar to those of other types of anemias, there are several signs that can aid in a more specific diagnosis. Some key signs of the hemolytic form of the condition are only recognizable with the aid of a microscope. For instance, when blood smear examination reveals red blood cell fragments, an unusually large number of reticulocytes (immature erythrocytes), or atypically small, round cells, hemolysis should be suspected. Other indicators that an individual’s anemia is hemolytic include elevated levels of lactate dehydrogenase and unbound bilirubin in the blood as well as a decrease in the protein haptoglobin.