What Does "Hapto Pending" Mean?
"Hapto pending" is laboratory terminology indicating that a haptoglobin test has been ordered but results are not yet available. This is standard laboratory notation used in electronic medical records and laboratory information systems to communicate test status.
Understanding the Term
"Hapto" refers to haptoglobin, a plasma protein synthesized by the liver that binds free hemoglobin released from lysed red blood cells 1, 2.
"Pending" is administrative terminology indicating the test sample has been collected and sent to the laboratory, but analysis is incomplete and results have not been reported back to the ordering clinician 3.
Clinical Context of Haptoglobin Testing
Haptoglobin levels are typically ordered when evaluating for:
Hemolytic anemia - Haptoglobin levels decrease when red blood cells are destroyed (hemolysis) because the protein binds to released hemoglobin and is cleared from circulation 4.
Inflammatory conditions - Haptoglobin is an acute phase reactant that increases during inflammation, infection, or tissue injury 5.
Liver disease assessment - Since haptoglobin is synthesized by the liver, severe hepatic dysfunction can reduce production 4.
What to Do While Results Are Pending
Continue clinical assessment based on the patient's presenting symptoms and other available laboratory data, as recommended by the American College of Chest Physicians for managing diagnostic uncertainty 3.
Do not delay urgent treatment if the clinical presentation suggests severe hemolysis or other life-threatening conditions requiring immediate intervention 3, 6.
Review the timeframe for result availability with your laboratory, as turnaround times vary by institution and testing methodology 3.
Consider the pre-test probability of hemolysis or other conditions based on clinical findings such as jaundice, dark urine, anemia, elevated indirect bilirubin, or elevated lactate dehydrogenase 3.