Haptoglobin details
What Haptoglobin shows
Haptoglobin is a protein made by the liver that binds hemoglobin released when red blood cells break apart, so it can be safely cleared from the blood. Measuring it helps look for hemolysis, the early destruction of red blood cells. A lower result can point to hemolysis, because haptoglobin is used up as it binds free hemoglobin, but it can also be low with liver disease or in people who naturally make little haptoglobin. A higher result often reflects inflammation, infection or tissue injury, since haptoglobin rises as part of the body's inflammatory response. It is usually interpreted alongside a complete blood count, reticulocytes, LDH and bilirubin.
Tests that include Haptoglobin
Decreased haptoglobin is found in hemolytic disease, hepatocellular disease and infectious mononucleosis. Increased level is found in inflammatory disease in the presence of tissue necrosis and in general acute inflammatory conditions.
- Haptoglobin A blood protein that binds free hemoglobin; low levels can point to red blood cells breaking down, while high levels often reflect inflammation.
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