What happens during a hemolytic anemia investigation?

Blood tests: Blood testing is performed to determine the cause of anemia. Hemolytic anemia can be caused many things. Blood tests are first done to determine whether anemia is caused by hemolysis, then, if so, the reason for hemolysis.

Cause of hemolysis: Once hemolysis is thought to be occurring, the cause is saught. The causes are many. Some are inherent to the red blood cell (sickle cell, spherocytosis, thalassemia, g6pd deficiency). Some are from antibodies. Some are from other causes of destruction within the blood vessels (mechanical heart valves, hemolytic uremic syndrome). This work up is quite involved.