What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Hemolytic Anemia?

Signs and symptoms of hemolytic anemia depend on the type of anemia and its severity. People with mild hemolytic anemia often have no symptoms. However, if the anemia is severe, the symptoms increase and become more serious. Many of the signs and symptoms of hemolytic anemia apply to all anemias.

Signs and Symptoms of Anemia

The most common symptom of all types of anemia, including hemolytic anemia, is fatigue (tiredness). Fatigue is caused by having too few red blood cells to carry oxygen to the body. This lack of oxygen in the body can cause you to feel weak or dizzy, have a headache, feel short of breath, or even pass out when changing position (for example, standing up).

Since the heart must work harder to circulate the reduced amount of oxygen in the blood, signs and symptoms of anemia may also include a fast or irregular heartbeat or a heart murmur.

People with anemia may have pale skin, tongue, gums, and nail beds due to the low levels of hemoglobin.

Signs and Symptoms of Hemolytic Anemia

The signs and symptoms associated with hemolytic anemia include:

• Jaundice. This is a yellowish discoloration of the skin and eyes. When red blood cells die, they release their hemoglobin into the bloodstream. The hemoglobin is broken down by the body into a compound called bilirubin, which gives the skin and eyes the yellowish color seen in jaundice. It also causes the urine to be dark yellow or brown.
• Pain in the upper abdomen due to gallstones or an enlarged liver. If you have high levels of bilirubin and cholesterol (from the breakdown of red blood cells), they can form into stones in the gallbladder, which can become painful.
• Leg ulcers and pain. In people with sickle cell anemia, the abnormal cells can clog small blood vessels, blocking blood flow. This can cause leg sores and pain in different parts of the body.
• A severe reaction to blood transfusion. Signs and symptoms of a transfusion reaction include fever, chills, low blood pressure, and shock (a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body isn't getting enough blood flow).