Are warm and cold autoimmune hemolytic anemia treated differently?

Are warm and cold autoimmune hemolytic anemia treated differently?

Primary cold autoimmune hemolytic anemia is treated differently from warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia. Medications that work for warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia include corticosteroids or immunosuppressants. If that approach doesn’t work, then you may need a splenectomy. Blood transfusions are considered in the situation of severe anemia as supportive care while the disease is being treated.

Cold autoimmune hemolytic anemia doesn’t respond well to corticosteroids or splenectomy. In a mild case of cold autoimmune hemolytic anemia, keeping warm by using hand/feet warmers, gloves, socks or even moving to a warmer climate may be enough to keep the disease at bay. When treatment is needed, rituximab with or without other immunosuppressive agents is the first line of therapy.