Hospital Virtual Tour

Hereditary elliptocytosis - Symptom

Alternative Names

Elliptocytosis - hereditary

Symptoms:

Fatigue
Shortness of breath
Yellow skin (jaundice) - may persist for a long time in a newborn

Signs and tests:

An examination by your health care provider may occasionally show an enlarged spleen.

The following tests may help diagnose the condition:

Bilirubin may be high.
Blood smear may show elliptical red blood cells.
Complete blood count (CBC) may show anemia or red blood cell destruction.
LDH "bad" cholesterol may be high.
Ultrasound of the gallbladder may show gallstones.

Red blood cells, elliptocytosis

Blood cells

Reviewed last on: 11/8/2008
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and James R. Mason, MD, Oncologist, Director, Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program and Stem Cell Processing Lab, Scripps Clinic, Torrey Pines, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Golan DE. Hemolytic anemias: red cell membrane and metabolic defects. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 165.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Home > Medical Reference > Encyclopedia (English)