Question from EM - how do you differentiate liver disease vs hemolysis labs?

Hello IM friends, I am in EM and have a question that I think better fits your expertise. I've had several chronic alcoholic patients come in with a lab pattern of anemia, low platelets, and elevated bilirubin. I know this can be expected for some cirrhotics, but it is also the pattern that might prompt consideration of hemolysis/MAHA. What do you do in these situations to differentiate between the two? I'm sure that sending a full hemolysis panel and smear would help guide us, but we... Read more
Source: Student Doctor Network - Category: Universities & Medical Training Authors: Tags: Internal Medicine and IM Subspecialties Source Type: forums