Home > Encyclopedia of Medicine > Haptoglobin Test

Definition

This test is done to help evaluate a person for hemolytic anemia.

Purpose

Haptoglobin is a blood protein made by the liver. The haptoglobin levels decrease in hemolytic anemia. Hemolytic anemias include a variety of conditions that result in hemolyzed, or burst, red blood cells.

Decreased values can also indicate a slower type of red cell destruction unrelated to anemia. For example, destruction can be caused by mechanical heart valves or abnormal hemoglobin, such as sickle cell disease or thalassemia.

Haptoglobin is known as an acute phase reactant. Its level increases during acute conditions such as...