D59.5: Paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria [Marchiafava-Micheli]

Your red blood cells are being broken down too soon.

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. White blood cells are part of the body’s immune system. They fight pathogens. Platelets are important for blood clotting.

Your blood cells are not being formed properly. The red blood cells are therefore being broken down by the body too soon. The disorder can also involve someone having too few white blood cells or platelets.

You may be excreting blood or have urine that has turned reddish or brown. 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. For example, a great many red blood cells are broken down after being ill, being under particular stress or having an operation.

You may also have pain in your body or blood clots may form. If you don’t have enough white blood cells, then you can get seriously ill as a result of pathogens. If you have don’t have enough platelets, you can bleed heavily.