Haptoglobin Test - Price, Need, Purpose, Procedure, & More

Table of Content

• Test Detail
• Purpose
• Procedure
• Preparation
• Risks
• Reports
• Price

Introduction to Haptoglobin Test 

Haptoglobin is a protein your liver makes to escape hemoglobin outside your RBCs. The haptoglobin test is recommended to measure the amount of haptoglobin in your blood. The test helps the experts diagnose hemolytic anemia. This disorder occurs when red blood cells are damaged faster than they can be replaced. Your healthcare provider may suggest the haptoglobin test if you have symptoms of hemolytic anemia or other blood disorders. These include weakness, headache, and dizziness, among others. Additionally, you may require a haptoglobin test if you have had a blood transfusion. Hence, another blood test may be suggested, which is called direct antiglobulin. 

No matter the reason, if your healthcare provider has suggested a haptoglobin test based on specific symptoms, you need not delay. Book haptoglobin test now from Redcliffe Labs. Get the convenience of home sample collection and accurate reports. 

Test details in brief

What is the purpose of the test?

The haptoglobin test aims to check how fast your red blood cells are destroyed. This may happen if your healthcare provider finds you have a type of anemia that your immune system is causing. The haptoglobin test is an essential diagnostic tool used to evaluate the level of haptoglobin in your blood. 

Common symptoms of hemolytic anemia or another blood disorder include: 

• Weakness or fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Headache
• Dizziness 
• Pale Skin
• Jaundice ( your skin and eyes color turn yellow)
• Arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat)
• Dark colored urine 

The signs and symptoms of hemolytic anemia are the same as those of anemia. Other scenarios when your doctor may suggest the hemoglobin-binding protein test: 

• Failure to thrive is a very common problem among preschool children and usually occurs with anemia. Symptoms include height, weight, and head circumference that do not match standard growth charts. 
• Symptoms of liver disease: Increased blood cell destruction may occur due to abnormalities in the size or shape of red blood cells. These include spleen disorders, cirrhosis, and scarring of the bone marrow (myelofibrosis). 
• Other laboratory tests show consistency with hemolytic anemia. The result may show increased bilirubin, decreased RBC count, hemoglobin in the urine, and increased reticulocyte count and lactate dehydrogenase levels. 

Regardless of why you have suggested a haptoglobin test, get yourself tested with us. Early detection and timely intervention will prevent complications and disease progression and potentially save lives. 

What is the procedure for the haptoglobin test?

The procedure for the haptoglobin blood test is simple. Blood will be drawn from one of your veins. The experts working with Redcliffe Labs have a field of expertise, ensuring painless procedures. 

Once you book your appointment for a blood home sample collection, our phlebotomist will come to your place with a collection kit at the given time and do the needful, including: 

• He will search for a suitable vein in your arm and clean it with a disinfectant. 
• Then, he will tie a tourniquet around your arm and insert the needle to collect the required amount of blood. 
• He will release the tourniquet and apply the bandage to the punctured area. 
• Lastly, he will transfer the blood into a test tube and label it with your name. This blood sample will be analyzed in a laboratory under the supervision of experts to prepare a report. 

How can you prepare for the haptoglobin test?

A haptoglobin test does not require lengthy and time-consuming preparations. It is a blood test, and fasting may be required, depending on your underlying medical condition. 

Your healthcare provider may ask you to stop taking your regular medicines. Certain medications can raise or lower haptoglobin levels in the body. Do not stop taking medicines unless you have spoken with your doctor. 

Are there any risks associated with a haptoglobin test?

No, there is no big risk to a haptoglobin test. It involves collecting blood from the vein, which may cause slight pain or bruise at the spot where the needle was injected. However, the symptoms will go away quickly. 

If the pain is severe or recurring, seeking medical assistance is advisable. 

What does the haptoglobin test detect? 

A haptoglobin test detects hemolytic anemia, a disorder in which red blood cells (RBC) are destroyed faster than they can be replaced. 

The liver makes haptoglobin that binds to a type of hemoglobin produced when the red blood cells (RBCs) die, resulting in anemia. The levels of haptoglobin drop if too much hemoglobin is bound to haptoglobin. The hemoglobin level in your blood helps a doctor detect what anemia you are suffering from. 

Besides, the test may be done if a doctor suspects you suffer from anemia caused by your immune system. 

What do the haptoglobin test reports indicate?

The haptoglobin test results vary from person to person and also depend on age, gender, health history, and other things. The difference in test reports may also be because of the laboratory used. Ask your doctor what your specific test results mean for you. 

The normal range for haptoglobin test is 41 to 165 mg/dL. 

Lower levels of haptoglobin mean: 

You may have hemolytic anemia. Lower levels could also indicate a blood transfusion, liver disease, or infectious mononucleosis. 

Higher than normal levels of haptoglobin may mean: 

• Ulcerative colitis
• Heart attack
• Ongoing infection
• Blockage of bile duct

Your healthcare provider may order other tests to make an accurate diagnosis. These include: 

• Reticulocyte count: The test measures the amount of immature red blood cells in the blood. 
• Hemoglobin test: This test measures the amount of protein in red blood cells. If excessive hemoglobin is bound to haptoglobin, the haptoglobin level will drop. 
• A hematocrit test is ordered to check the proportion of RBCs in the blood. 
• The Lactate Dehydrogenase test mainly checks tissue damage due to a chronic or acute health condition. 
• Blood smear helps detect and check for conditions such as blood disorders, sudden kidney failure, and certain cancer treatments. 
• Complete blood count is used to identify and count seven types of cells in the blood: RBC, platelet, monocyte, basophil, neutrophil, eosinophil, and lymphocyte. 

Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any questions about your haptoglobin test results. Some medicines may interfere with them. 

Your healthcare expert will consider your symptoms, medical history, and the results of other blood tests to understand the haptoglobin test results. 

The following table is a summary of the results that may be seen: 

Note: Newborns and infants under six months old have low haptoglobin levels. It is normal. 

What if the haptoglobin test reports are positive?

If you test positive for haptoglobin, you have a higher-than-normal haptoglobin level. This may be a sign of inflammatory diseases and disorders of the immune system. 

Higher-than-normal levels may be due to: 

• Blockage of the bile ducts
• Joint or muscle inflammation
• Peptic Ulcer
• Diabetes

What are the risk factors for haptoglobin? 

The risk factors associated with causing haptoglobin to happen too fast or too often include if you suffered from a heart attack in the past, complications or reactions from blood transfusions, family history, a diet that lacks essential nutrients, and infections. 

Autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ulcerative colitis, and immunodeficiency disorders can also create conditions for a haptoglobin test. 

Conditions such as kidney dysfunction as well as liver disease, and massive blood loss are likely to affect haptoglobin levels. 

Certain medications, including androgens and corticosteroids, can increase haptoglobin levels, and decreased haptoglobin levels can be caused by isoniazid, streptomycin, and birth and control pills. 

Is it possible to return to normal if your haptoglobin level is low?

In this case, the cause of the low level of haptoglobin will be the deciding factor. 

• If the low haptoglobin level is due to acute hemolysis, it will return to normal once the reaction resolves. 
• If it is due to chronic hemolysis, the level can return to normal once the underlying condition is resolved. However, if the underlying condition cannot be solved, or the low level is due to decreased production due to liver disease, then the haptoglobin level may continue to be lower than normal. 

Book a Haptoglobin Test From Redcliffe Labs for INR 2100. 

If the symptoms mentioned above suggest that you might have low or high haptoglobin levels, or if your healthcare provider has prescribed a haptoglobin test, book your test with us now! The haptoglobin test price at Redcliffe Labs is INR 2100. 

Download the Redcliffe mobile app to book a haptoglobin blood test online. You can also call us directly and opt-in for our hassle-free, affordable healthcare services. We offer our blood sample convenience at your doorstep, and you can get accurate reports within 36 hours. Express slots are also available to book a blood test, collect your sample within 45 minutes, and report on time. 

Haptoglobin Test Cost in Different Cities - Redcliffe Labs

Note: We also offer Haptoglobin Test PAN India. Please call the number 8988988787 to check the availability of our services in your area.

Any Other Purpose of Ordering a Haptoglobin Test?

The haptoglobin test may also be ordered inside the lab. This test differentiates between a hemolyzed specimen caused by the destruction of red blood cells inside the body and a hemolyzed specimen caused by the destruction of red blood cells (RBCs) after a blood draw. 

Conclusion

The liver produces a protein called haptoglobin. Our body uses this protein to clear free hemoglobin from circulation. A healthcare professional may suggest a test to measure the amount of haptoglobin in the blood. 

Haptoglobin testing may also be done to determine whether another blood disorder or type of anemia is causing your symptoms.