D59.1: Other autoimmune haemolytic anaemias

Your red blood cells are being broken down too soon by certain antibodies.

Blood is made up of a liquid part and different blood cells, among other things. The blood cells include the red blood cells, the white blood cells and the platelets.

The red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs throughout the body. Red blood cells contain the red hemoglobin that gives blood its color. This pigment is important for carrying oxygen in the blood.

Your immune system is producing certain antibodies against your red blood cells. The immune system normally produces various antibodies that are supposed to fight pathogens, for example. However, with some illnesses these antibodies are targeted against your own body. The cause of this is usually unknown. However, sometimes the cause is another disease.

If lots of red blood cells are broken down too soon, then you may not have enough haemoglobin in the body. If you don’t have enough haemoglobin, then the body can no longer transport as much oxygen. This can mean, for example, that you’re exhausted more quickly or you have difficulty breathing. If very many red blood cells are broken down at once, then you can be seriously ill.