Clinical Applications of Hemolytic Markers in the Differential Diagnosis and Management of Hemolytic Anemia

Table 1

Markers of hemolysis in different hemolytic diseases.

	AIHA	Membrane/enzyme defects	CDA	PNH	TMA	Intravascular devices
Hb	− to − − −	−/− −	− −/− − −	− −/− − −	− −/− − −	−
Reticulocytes	− to +++	+ to +++	−/=	− to ++	+	+
Schistocytes	=	=	=	=	++	+
LDH	+/++	+	+	+++	++	++
Haptoglobin	− − −	− − −	− −	− − −	−	− −
Bilirubin	+	++	+	+	+	+
Ferritin	=/+	++	+++	− to +	=/+	=/+
PLT	=/− −	=/−	=	=/−	− −	=/−
WBC	=	=	=	=/−	=	=/−
Hemosiderinuria	=/+	=	=	+ to +++	=/+	=/+

Values are expressed in a semiquantitative style to indicate the different intensity of alteration in the various hemolytic syndromes, as follows: +/++/+++ indicate an increase from mild to severe, −/− −/− − − indicate a reduction, and = indicates values within the normal range.
AIHA: autoimmune hemolytic anemia; CDA: congenital dyserythropoietic anemia; PNH: paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria; TMA: thrombotic microangiopathies; Hb: hemoglobin; LDH: lactate dehydrogenase; PLT: platelets; WBC: white blood cells.