Haptoglobin Test

Haptoglobin test is a blood test performed to measure level of
Haptoglobin in your blood.It is performed in many cases viz.,
1. to confirm Intravascular Hemolysis
2. during and after the treatment of Intravascular Hemolysis.
3. The Test is used in determining whether the RBCs are being destroyed
or breaking apart rather prematurely.
A haptoglobin test may be performed in conjunction with a direct
antiglobulin test to help in determining whether someone who has had a
blood transfusion, has a blood transfusion reaction or not in the process
of transfusion.

Make sure to wear a short-sleeved shirt or a shirt with sleeves that you can easily roll up.No special preparation needed for the Haptoglobin test. There’s no need to adjust your diet. You can both eat and drink normally.However, your doctor may require that you fast for a specific amount of time before the test. That’s common if the blood sample is required for additional testing. Your doctor will give you specific instructions.

The normal test results for Haptoglobin will show Haptoglobin level as 30 - 200 mg/dl for unisex gender and for all the age groups. If the haptoglobin is normal or borderline normal and the reticulocyte count is increasing then RBC destruction is likely happening in organs like spleen and liver. As the freed hemoglobin is not released into the blood, the haptoglobin is at a normal level. However, in critical extravascular hemolysis, haptoglobin level are low because excess hemolysis can release some free hemoglobin into the blood. If both the haptoglobin concentration and the reticulocyte count is normal, then it is likely that the anemia isn’t caused by RBC breakdown.

During this test, a lab technician will draw blood from a vein, generally
from the inside of your elbow.
The lab assistant will:
1.clean your skin with an antiseptic wipe.
2.place an elastic band around your upper arm to help the vein swell
with blood.
3.insert a needle in the your and collects the required amount of blood.
4.cover the area with a bandage to stop any bleeding.
5.label your sample and send it to a lab for analysis.