The body to mass produces red blood cells (reticulocytes being young erythrocytes) even as the spleen filters spherocytes out. This is known as reticulocytosis. Unconjugated Bilirubin: Increased (normal range: 0.2-1.2 mg/dL). This is caused by heme released into the hepatosplenic circulation by macrophages that have phagocytosed erythrocytes. The unconjugated bilirubin is not soluble in water (blood), so it binds to albumin, and is processed in the liver. Haptoglobin (Free): Decreased (normal range: 41–165 mg/dL). This is caused by hemoglobin binding to haptoglobin, thus making it no longer "free." lactate dehydrogenase (LDH): Increased (Normal range: 110-295U/L in children). This is due to extravascular hemolysis. Peripheral Blood Smear: Directly shows spherocytes on microscope. Eosin-5-maleimide Binding Test: Positive (reduced mean fluorescence), as the test will demonstrate a reduced ability of the Eosin-5-maleimide dye to bind to erythrocyte plasma membrane proteins. The process relies upon flow cytometry. Gold standard test that produces results at low cost within ~2 hours.In chronic cases, patients who have taken iron supplementation, have heterozygous hemochromatosis, or received numerous blood transfusions, iron overload may cause additional health issues. Measuring iron stores is sometimes considered part of the diagnostic approach to hereditary spherocytosis in older patients presenting with heart muscle damage of unknown etiology or liver disease without apparent cause. Imaging
Ultrasound is often used to evaluate the dimensions of the spleen, and also the gallbladder in preparation for functionally curative splenectomy with or without cholecystectomy.
Hemoglobin A1C (glycated hemoglobin) is a test for determining the average blood glucose levels over an extended period of time, and is often used to evaluate glucose control in diabetics. The hemoglobin A1C levels are abnormally low because the life span of the red blood cells is decreased - providing less time for the non-enzymatic glycosylation of hemoglobin. Thus, even with high overall blood sugar, the A1C will be lower than expected. Iron overload. Leg ulcer. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Cardiovascular disease. Research
Modern ongoing research interests:

Experimental gene therapy exists to treat hereditary spherocytosis in lab mice; however, this treatment has not yet been tried on humans due to all of the risks involved in human gene therapy. Bone marrow transplant. Paradoxical endurance-based athleticism associated with hereditary spherocytosis. Evolution of spherocytic erythrocyte adaptation in those of Northern European and Japanese descent. Increased ability to defend against viral infections in hereditary spherocytosis patients. See also
Spherocytosis
Anemia
Hematology

References
External links

A short article from WebMD
A picture of spherocytes from Medline