Heinz Body Test in T Nagar, Chennai

Heinz bodies are microscopic spots on red blood cells that are indicative of specific kinds of damage to red blood cells. They can be observed when a sample of the damaged red blood cells is made with specific dyes and examined under a microscope.

Heinz bodies can develop as a result of oxidative damage, which is caused by various medical disorders and occasionally by exposure to chemicals and drugs. Red blood cells with Heinz bodies are more brittle and susceptible to breaking down. Heinz body anaemia, haemolytic anaemia, spleen enlargement, and liver damage are among the complications linked with Heinz bodies.

In Heinz body anaemia, Heinz bodies make the red blood cells less effective as oxygen carriers. Due to this, the body lacks sufficient numbers of healthy red blood cells. With Heinz body anaemia, you may have effects that can be similar to the anaemia symptoms, such as:

• Low energy
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Pale complexion
• Irritability
• Rapid heartbeat 
• Breathlessness

Conversely, in haemolytic anaemia, red blood cells with Heinz bodies are prone to be degraded by the spleen. In addition to potential fever, jaundice, and brown urine, haemolytic anaemia causes severe anaemia symptoms. Organ failure may also result from it.

To help you find the underlying cause of these symptoms and subsequently treat them, Apollo 24|7 provides you with the most current and comprehensive Heinz body test.

A Heinz body test is very effective in detecting Heinz bodies in the bloodstream, which are indicative of oxidative damage to haemoglobin in red blood cells. For the Heinz body test, there is no specific preparation required. Before undergoing the test, let your doctor know if you are taking any medicines and have any inherent medical conditions or allergies. Your doctor can help provide particular instructions based on your condition.

In the Heinz body test, a band is placed around the arm 3 to 4 inches above the collection location. The skin is pulled firmly by removing the needle cap and holding it parallel to the vein. Pulling the syringe's plunger out slowly allows for the collection of the necessary volume of the blood sample. The needle is taken out, the wrap band is undone, and gauze is placed on the collection area. The appropriate preservative, anticoagulant, or clot activator is added to the blood container into which the sample is immediately transferred.

A high value for the Heinz body test, greater than 30%, may signify haemolytic anaemia, haemoglobinopathies, a lack of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase enzyme, or a recent splenectomy.

The Heinz body test results should not be viewed as the outcome of a ‘stand-alone’ examination. The test results must be evaluated after being compared to pertinent clinical findings and other supporting tests.

Based on the cumulative clinical context, your healthcare professionals can help explain the significance of your Heinz body test results.