Connect with others who understand.

sign up log in
About myAIHAteam
Powered By

What Are the Common Symptoms in People With AIHA?

Posted on June 13, 2022
View reactions
Medically reviewed by
Todd Gersten, M.D.
Article written by
Caroline Wallace, Ph.D.

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is a rare autoimmune blood disorder that occurs when the body mistakenly attacks red blood cells. Like other autoimmune disorders, AIHA results when your own immune system makes autoantibodies (antibodies that attack healthy cells).

In the case of AIHA, red blood cells (RBCs) are destroyed through a process called hemolysis. This can lead to anemia — a low amount of RBCs, which are responsible for carrying oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body.

Fortunately, AIHA can be managed, but it is potentially fatal if not treated. Continue reading to learn about the common symptoms of AIHA.

What Are Symptoms of AIHA?

There are two main classifications of AIHA — warm AIHA and cold AIHA. The two cold types are cold agglutinin disease and paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria.

Often AIHA may occur without an obvious underlying condition (idiopathic AIHA or primary AIHA). When AIHA is connected to other conditions, such as autoimmune diseases (like lupus), medications, or underlying blood cancers (such as leukemia or lymphoma), the disease is called secondary AIHA.

General AIHA Symptoms

Although some people have “silent” AIHA and are asymptomatic, the disease can cause a wide range of symptoms. Many symptoms occur because people with AIHA do not have enough red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout their bodies.

General symptoms of AIHA symptoms are similar to those of anemia, including:

  • Low-grade fever
  • Fatigue
  • Lethargy (decreased alertness)
  • Weakness or dizziness
  • Heart palpitations (irregular heartbeat) or rapid heartbeat
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Paleness
  • Dark urine
  • Fainting
  • Confusion

Pain Symptoms

Some people with AIHA may experience more painful symptoms, including:

  • Painful fingers or toes
  • Discomfort swallowing cold liquid
  • Chest pain
  • Headache
  • Muscle soreness

Skin Signs

Skin signs of AIHA may be present in people with more severe cases:

  • Pale skin
  • Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)
  • Bluish or reddish fingers, toes, ankles, or wrists
  • Dark purple-to-gray fingertips, nose, or ears
  • Sweating
  • Necrosis (areas of dying skin)

Common Warm AIHA Symptoms

Symptoms may be different for people who have warm AIHA than for those with cold AIHA. Common warm AIHA symptoms include:

  • Fatigue
  • Dizziness
  • Jaundice
  • Heart palpitations

Common Cold AIHA Symptoms and Signs

People with cold AIHA may have the following symptoms:

  • Fatigue
  • Dizziness
  • Jaundice
  • Chest pain
  • Pain in the backs of the legs
  • Raynaud’s phenomenon, which is often caused by exposure to cold
  • Heart problems (arrhythmia — a problem with the heartbeat’s rate or rhythm — or heart failure)

Getting Help for Symptoms of AIHA

If you have symptoms associated with anemia, such as fatigue, weakness, jaundice, or shortness of breath, make sure that you schedule an appointment with your health care provider. Your doctor may want to run tests to determine the cause of your symptoms. Because many symptoms of AIHA are general and may be associated with a wide range of other health conditions, blood tests will help your physician rule out other possible causes.

The AIHA symptoms you experience can determine the specific treatments you are offered. Many therapeutic options are available that can help reduce symptoms and improve your quality of life.

Read more about treatments for AIHA.

Condition Guide

Posted on June 13, 2022
View reactions
All updates must be accompanied by text or a picture.
Todd Gersten, M.D. is a hematologist-oncologist at the Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute in Wellington, Florida. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Learn more about him here.
Caroline Wallace, Ph.D. has a doctorate in biomedical science from the Medical University of South Carolina. Learn more about her here.

Related articles

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is a blood disorder in which your immune system attacks your o...

Skin Symptoms and AIHA: What Do They Look Like?

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is a blood disorder in which your immune system attacks your o...
Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms experienced by people with all types of autoimmune hem...

Fatigue and AIHA: Causes and Management

Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms experienced by people with all types of autoimmune hem...

Recent articles

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) occurs when your immune system makes proteins called autoantib...

How To Prevent Blood Clots With AIHA

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) occurs when your immune system makes proteins called autoantib...
Many people with autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) develop Raynaud’s phenomenon, which occurs wh...

What Is Raynaud’s Phenomenon and How Is It Related to AIHA?

Many people with autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) develop Raynaud’s phenomenon, which occurs wh...
Folic acid, also known as folate or vitamin B9, is an important nutrient for making new red blood...

Can Folic Acid Supplements Help With AIHA?

Folic acid, also known as folate or vitamin B9, is an important nutrient for making new red blood...
Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is a condition in which the immune system destroys red blood c...

Blood Transfusions and AIHA: What To Know About Transfusion Reactions

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is a condition in which the immune system destroys red blood c...
Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is a rare autoimmune disorder that occurs when the body makes ...

Chest Pain and AIHA: Causes and Management

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is a rare autoimmune disorder that occurs when the body makes ...
Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is a condition in which the immune system attacks red blood ce...

Ulcerative Colitis and AIHA: Understanding the Connection

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is a condition in which the immune system attacks red blood ce...
myAIHAteam My autoimmune hemolytic anemia Team

Thank you for subscribing!

Become a member to get even more:

sign up for free

close