Tag: Haptoglobin

In the field of medicine, an unusually low blood level of haptoglobin can be a sign of hemolytic anemia, a disorder where red blood cells are destroyed faster than they are replaced. This protein, abbreviated HP, most commonly stands for Haptoglobin, a critical molecule with several biological functions that go beyond simple hemoglobin binding.

While inadequate dietary intake is the most common reason for scurvy, a study found that over 7% of the U.S. population has a vitamin C deficiency. However, some individuals with sufficient dietary intake still develop a deficiency, pointing to less common causes. The most scientifically compelling rare cause of vitamin C deficiency is genetic variations that impact how the body absorbs and processes the nutrient.