Heinz Bodies Test
What are Heinz Bodies
Heinz bodies is a blood smear test that helps doctors diagnose blood disorders that cause hemoglobin degradation.
Heinz Bodies are aggregates of hemoglobin that have been damaged and precipitated upon the red blood cells. When observed under the microscope, they appear as tiny dots and look as if ejected out of the cells.
In a healthy individual, Heinz bodies are not seen in the blood as they get cleared by the spleen. Nevertheless, if they are present, they indicate increased hemoglobin damage and are often seen in medical problems like Glucose-6-phosphatase dehydrogenase deficiency(G6PDD) and unstable hemoglobin disorders.
What are Heinz Bodies Used for?
Often, Heinz bodies examination is used:
For the investigation of causes leading to hemolytic anaemia, such as G6PDD, hemoglobinuria, drug intoxication , chemical poisoning , infections, and mineral deficiency
To find out if the hemoglobin in your red blood cells has a particular kind of damage or not.
To assess the treatment response
Symptoms of Heinz body Anemia
The Heinz bodies themselves don't cause symptoms, but if your red blood cells (RBCs) are destroyed more rapidly than they're replaced, you can get Heinz body hemolytic anemia.
Symptoms of this disease include:
Shortness of breath
Irregular heartbeat
Low blood pressure
Yellow skin and eye (Jaundice)
Enlarged liver and spleen
Dark coloured urine
Preparation for Test
No special preparation is required for this test. However, being a blood test, it's better you keep a fast in the past hour to get accurate results. Moreover, inform your doctor if you are on prescription medication or have any underlying allergy.
Interpretation of Test Results
Positive result (Abnormal):
This test outcome implies the presence of Heinz bodies in the blood smear, indicating the possibility of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD), drug toxicity, or exposure to toxic chemicals. It may also be observed in cases of unstable hemoglobin defects (such as Hb Koeln or Hb Wien) and in patients who have recently undergone splenectomy.
However, the test results must be interpreted after correlating with suitable clinical findings and additional supplemental tests/information.
Negative result (Normal):
This result indicates the absence of Heinz bodies in the red blood cells.
FAQs
Why Heinz Bodies, Peripheral Blood Test Done?
There are several reasons why doctors recommend this test:
- To diagnose thalassemia, hemolytic anemia, and G6PD deficiency in patients.
- If the patient experiences symptoms such as trouble breathing , dizziness, fatigue, pale skin, heart palpitations etc.
- To see if the given treatment is working well or not.
Is the presence of Heinz bodies in blood normal?
No, the presence of Heinz bodies in the blood isn't normal and is usually suggestive of medical conditions such as G6PD deficiency and the hereditary causes of hemolytic anemia.
When are Heinz bodies seen?
When something damages hemoglobin in your RBCs, it triggers Heinz body formation in the cells. The most common causes include:
- Hemolytic disorders such as G6PD deficiency, thalassemia, and various hereditary hemoglobin defects
- Chemical exposure, including dyes used in medical testings
- Infection( such as malaria , clostridium infection , babesiosis, leprosy, COVID-19)
- Mineral deficiency, for example, selenium
- Drug toxicity ( for example, acetaminophen, vitamin K1, propafol, and phenothiazines)
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