How can hemolysis affect blood test results?

Hemolysis occurs when red blood cells break down and release their contents into the surrounding plasma. This process can significantly alter the composition of a blood sample, leading to potential inaccuracies in laboratory test results. For example, it can affect levels of various analytes, such as potassium, which may be falsely elevated due to the release from the lysed cells, or may interfere with the measurement of other components by altering the sample’s turbidity.

In chemistry tests specifically, hemolysis can lead to a variety of inaccurate results—both false positives and false negatives—ultimately impacting clinical decisions. This is why labs take hemolysis seriously and may reject samples that are hemolyzed. Understanding the implications of hemolysis is crucial for ensuring reliable blood test results.