What other tests help diagnose autoimmune hemolytic anemia?

What other tests help diagnose autoimmune hemolytic anemia?

If your healthcare provider suspects anemia, they might order additional tests. These assessments may include:

• Peripheral smear. Your healthcare provider examines a sample of your blood under a microscope to see if your blood cells are being destroyed.
• Reticulocyte count. This test measures how many young red blood cells are in your body. If your bone marrow is making a lot more cells to replace the destroyed ones, then your reticulocyte count will be high.
• Bilirubin test. Bilirubin increases when red blood cells are destroyed.
• Coombs’ test. Your healthcare provider will run this test to determine if your body is making antibodies against red blood cells.
• Haptoglobin test. Haptoglobin is a protein that eliminates debris produced by damaged red blood cells. If your body is using up a lot of haptoglobin, your levels will be low.
• Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Lactate dehydrogenase is an enzyme that’s present in red blood cells. When red blood cells are destroyed, the LDH level will rise.
• Cold agglutinin titer. If your healthcare provider suspects cold autoimmune hemolytic anemia, they may perform this test. It tells your healthcare provider the level of antibodies that attack red blood cells at cold temperatures.