[Hematology] Hemolytic anemia, causes and investigations

Hemolytic anemia is a disorder in which red blood cells are destroyed faster than they can be made. The destruction of red blood cells is called hemolysis.

Red blood cells carry oxygen to all parts of your body. If you have a lower than normal amount of red blood cells, you have anemia. When you have anemia, your blood can’t bring enough oxygen to all your tissues and organs. Without enough oxygen, your body can’t work as well as it should.

Hemolytic anemia can be inherited or acquired:

Inherited hemolytic anemia happens when parents pass the gene for the condition on to their children.
Acquired hemolytic anemia is not something you are born with. You develop the condition later.