Intended Use

Haptoglobin is an acute phase reactant.  This term refers to proteins whose serum concentrations rise significantly during acute inflammation due to causes including surgery, myocardial infarction, infections and tumors.  Haptoglobin binds free hemoglobin in plasma.  The hemoglobin/haptoglobin complexes are removed from the circulation by the reticulo-endothelial system.  Decreased haptoglobin concentrations are generally indicative of erythrocyte destruction.  Levels of haptoglobin may appear increased in conditions of burns and nephrotic syndrome when large amounts of fluid and lower-molecular weight plasma proteins have been lost.