A patient with anemia is found to have a low level of haptoglobin and a high level of bilirubin. What is the most likely diagnosis?

A Iron deficiency anemia
B Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia
C Hemolytic anemia ✓
D Anemia of chronic disease

Explanation

Hemolytic anemia is characterized by the breakdown of red blood cells, leading to a decrease in haptoglobin (a protein that binds to free hemoglobin) and an increase in bilirubin (a byproduct of hemoglobin breakdown).

Source

Wintrobe's Clinical Hematology
Hematology Hematology: Anemia Hematology: Anemia Hard MEDICAL Confidence: high