From the Research
High haptoglobin levels in the blood indicate an inflammatory response in the body, and the most recent and highest quality study suggests that high serum levels of haptoglobin are associated with inadequate response to methotrexate treatment in recent-onset rheumatoid arthritis patients. No specific treatment is needed for high haptoglobin itself, as it's a marker rather than a disease. Instead, the underlying cause of inflammation should be identified and treated. Common causes include infections, autoimmune disorders, certain cancers, and tissue damage.
Key Points to Consider
- Your doctor may order additional tests like CRP, ESR, or specific tests for suspected conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, which has been linked to high haptoglobin levels 1.
- While waiting for diagnosis, over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen (400-600mg every 6-8 hours) may help manage symptoms, but shouldn't replace proper medical evaluation.
- Haptoglobin is a protein produced by the liver that binds to free hemoglobin released from broken-down red blood cells, preventing kidney damage and iron loss.
- During inflammation, haptoglobin production increases as part of the acute phase response, making it a useful marker for detecting inflammatory conditions in the body, as seen in studies on rheumatoid arthritis patients 2, 3, 4, 5.
Important Considerations
- The study by 1 found that high serum levels of haptoglobin at baseline are associated with inadequate response to 12 weeks of methotrexate treatment in recent-onset rheumatoid arthritis patients.
- Another study by 5 identified haptoglobin-α1 and -α2 as potential biomarkers for prediction of etanercept drug response in rheumatoid arthritis.
- It's essential to note that haptoglobin levels can be influenced by various factors, including genetic predisposition, as seen in the study by 3, which found an association between the Hp2 gene and rheumatoid arthritis.
- Overall, high haptoglobin levels should be addressed by identifying and treating the underlying cause of inflammation, rather than treating the high haptoglobin levels themselves.