Understanding the importance as well as the role of a Coombs test would require understanding the significance of a condition such as Hemolysis. Hemolysis is essentially the premature breakdown of red blood cells as a result of bound or unbound antibodies that exist on the red blood cell itself. Under normal circumstances, the red blood cells live for a period of about 110 to 120 days. After this period they break down naturally and are removed from the body's blood circulation system by the spleen. However, some conditions as well as medication have the ability to cause the red blood cells to break down too soon. This then also places significant stress on the bone marrow to increase frequency of red blood cell production. The immediate breakdown of the red blood cells of the body coupled with their replacement by the bone marrow in its usual time bring about a disconnect between the two systems. This then leads to a significant drop in the red blood cells during these times.
Just as with any other type of blood test, a coombs test requires a blood sample to be withdrawn from the patient. This is accomplished by inserting a syringe into the vein, usually situated inside the elbow after the area has been cleansed with an antiseptic. Once done, an elastic band is placed on the upper part of the arm in order to restrict blood circulation to some extent and cause the vein to become more prominent. Once the vein has become prominent, the syringe inserted into it and the elastic band opened up to allow the blood to flow easily into the vial connected to the syringe. Only once the blood has been collected does the Coombs test actually start. The two forms of coombs tests are known as the direct test and the indirect test. The direct test is used in order to detect antibodies that are already bound to the surface of the red blood cells - usually caused by a number of medical conditions as well as medications. The indirect coombs test analyzes the unbound circulating antibodies against a series of standard red blood cells that are still in the body's circulation. Another very important use of the indirect coombs test is to analyze whether an individual will suffer from any kind of reaction to a blood transfusion. Because coombs test results are subject to the purpose the test has been carried out, it is important that you ask your doctor for a briefing about the test results once the report has come in from the lab.