7. Hemolytic anemia
Hemolytic anemia is a condition that causes the red blood cells to be destroyed by the body prematurely. This can prevent them from traveling to the organs and can cause the organs to work harder to do their job. The liver is one of the organs affected by this condition. Without enough blood flow or proper blood flow, the liver can’t work as it should and won’t be able to regulate bilirubin levels. Anemia can be treated, but it can be a problem for a long time before a proper diagnosis is made.
In some cases, elevated bilirubin levels are what lead to the proper diagnosis. When the hemolytic anemia treatment is started and becomes effective, the liver recovers and can regulate the bilirubin levels again. In rare cases, the anemia can be so severe that the liver becomes severely damaged. In this case, medication may be needed to help control bilirubin levels and to help the liver heal.