causes of a low haptoglobin

Last reviewed 05/2021

Classically, a low haptoglobin concentration is indicative of intravascular haemolysis.

There are other causes of a low haptoglobin, these include:

  • extravascular haemolysis - some free haemoglobin leaks from the phagocytic cells of the spleen
  • chronic liver disease
  • metastatic malignancy
  • sepsis