Hemolytic anemia is diagnosed through a combination of physical examination, medical history, laboratory tests, and sometimes bone marrow biopsy. The diagnostic process typically involves:
1. Complete Blood Count (CBC) to evaluate red blood cell count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit.
2. Reticulocyte count to assess bone marrow function.
3. Blood smear to examine red blood cell morphology.
4. Direct Antiglobulin Test (DAT) to detect antibodies against red blood cells.
5. Indirect Antiglobulin Test (IAT) to detect antibodies in the serum.
6. Hemoglobin electrophoresis to identify abnormal hemoglobin variants.
7. Bone marrow biopsy to evaluate bone marrow function and rule out other disorders.