The red cell survival test is most often performed on patients with suspected which condition?

The red cell survival test is primarily performed in patients suspected of having hemolytic anemia. This test measures the lifespan of red blood cells in circulation and can help determine whether the anemia is due to increased destruction of red cells, which is a hallmark of hemolytic anemia. In this condition, red blood cells are destroyed faster than they can be produced by the bone marrow, leading to a shorter lifespan of these cells. The test provides valuable information about the dynamics of red cell production and destruction, which is crucial for confirming a diagnosis of hemolytic anemia.

In contrast, other conditions like thalassemia, iron deficiency anemia, or vitamin B12 deficiency may not involve increased red cell destruction, but rather issues with production or maturation of red blood cells, making the red cell survival test less relevant in those cases. Thalassemia typically involves abnormal hemoglobin and affects red cell production, whereas iron deficiency anemia and vitamin B12 deficiency are associated with insufficient red blood cell production due to a lack of essential nutrients rather than an issue of red blood cell survival.