Coombs test

Direct antiglobulin test; Indirect antiglobulin test; Anemia - hemolytic

A blood sample is needed.

No special preparation is necessary for this test.

When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain. Others feel only a prick or stinging. Afterward, there may be some throbbing or slight bruising. This soon goes away.

There are 2 types of the Coombs test:

• Direct
• Indirect

The direct Coombs test is used to detect antibodies that are stuck to the surface of red blood cells. Many diseases and drugs can cause this to happen. These antibodies sometimes destroy red blood cells and cause anemia. Your health care provider may recommend this test if you have signs or symptoms of anemia or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

The indirect Coombs test looks for antibodies that are floating in the blood. These antibodies could act against certain red blood cells. This test is most often done to determine if you may have a reaction to a blood transfusion.

A normal result is called a negative result. It means there was no clumping of cells and you have no antibodies to red blood cells.

Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results.

An abnormal (positive) direct Coombs test means you have antibodies that act against your red blood cells. This may be due to:

• Autoimmune hemolytic anemia
• Chronic lymphocytic leukemia or similar disorder
• Blood disease in newborns called erythroblastosis fetalis (also called hemolytic disease of the newborn)
• Infectious mononucleosis
• Mycoplasma infection
• Syphilis
• Systemic lupus erythematosus
• Transfusion reaction, such as one due to improperly matched units of blood

The test result may also be abnormal without any clear cause, especially among the older people.

An abnormal (positive) indirect Coombs test means you have antibodies that will act against red blood cells that your body views as foreign. This may suggest:

• Erythroblastosis fetalis
• Incompatible blood match (when used in blood banks)

Veins and arteries vary in size from one person to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.

Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:

• Excessive bleeding
• Fainting or feeling lightheaded
• Hematoma (blood buildup under the skin)
• Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)