A blood sample has an elevated bilirubin, low haptoglobin, and low hemopexin. What is the most likely reason for this?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Elevated bilirubin, low haptoglobin, and low hemopexin are characteristic laboratory markers of increased intravascular hemolysis. Bilirubin is a breakdown product of hemoglobin that is released during hemolysis. Haptoglobin and hemopexin are proteins that bind to free hemoglobin in the circulation, preventing its renal excretion and facilitating its clearance by the reticuloendothelial system. In conditions of intravascular hemolysis, such as autoimmune hemolytic anemia, mechanical hemolytic anemia, or hemoglobinopathies, large amounts of free hemoglobin are released into the circulation, leading to decreased haptoglobin and hemopexin levels and increased bilirubin.

A Blood Sample Has an Elevated Bilirubin, Low Haptoglobin, and Low