Oct

1

2025

Which laboratory markers can help distinguish hemolysis from mimics like cirrhosis or vitamin B12 deficiency?

By William Aird

  • Hemolysis: reticulocytosis, low haptoglobin, hemoglobinuria (if intravascular).
  • Cirrhosis: may raise indirect bilirubin but typically without low haptoglobin or reticulocytosis.
  • B12 deficiency: can elevate LDH and indirect bilirubin due to intramedullary RBC death, but smear shows macrocytosis and hypersegmented neutrophils.