Hemolytic anemia history and symptoms

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Shyam Patel [2]

The symptoms of hemolysis mostly relate to (1) red blood cell loss and (2) release of hemoglobin and its breakdown products into the circulation. The breakdown products of hemoglobin will accumulate in the blood causing jaundice and be excreted in the urine causing the urine to become dark brown in color.

Some of the symptoms include^[1]:

• Chills
• Dark urine
• Early satiety from enlarged spleen
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Pale skin color (pallor)
• Palpitations from elevated heart rate
• Shortness of breath
• Yellow skin color (jaundice)

Certain aspects of the medical history can suggest a cause for hemolysis.

• Presence of prosthetic heart valve
• Presence of other comorbidities like chronic lymphocytic leukemia
• Presence of autoimmune conditions

• Use of drugs
• Consumption of fava beans

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