Quick Facts
- Sample: Blood draw (10–15 mL)
- Fasting: Not required
- Turn-around: 1–2 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
Benefits
- Early detection of life-threatening pregnancy complications before symptoms worsen
- Comprehensive screening includes hemolysis, liver function, and platelet analysis
- Fast results within 1-2 days for urgent clinical decision-making
- Direct access ordering without physician referral required
- Cost-effective alternative to emergency department evaluation
- Secure results delivered through confidential online portal
Who Is This Test For?
- Pregnant women experiencing upper abdominal pain or severe headaches
- Women with preeclampsia or high blood pressure during pregnancy
- Pregnant patients with nausea, vomiting, or visual changes after 20 weeks
- Women with previous HELLP syndrome or family history
- Postpartum mothers up to 7 days after delivery with concerning symptoms
- High-risk pregnancies requiring enhanced monitoring
How It Works – Just 3 Steps
- Order online - No doctor's visit needed; schedule at your convenience
- Visit lab - Quick blood draw at any participating location near you
- Get results - Secure online access within 1-2 business days with physician review
FAQ
What is HELLP syndrome and why is it dangerous? HELLP syndrome is a life-threatening pregnancy complication affecting 0.1-0.6% of pregnancies, with maternal mortality rates up to 25% without early treatment (Yale Medicine 2025).
When during pregnancy can HELLP syndrome occur? HELLP typically develops after 20 weeks of pregnancy, but 15-30% of cases occur postpartum within the first week after delivery (BMJ Best Practice 2025).
Do I need to fast before this blood test? No fasting is required for the HELLP Syndrome Blood Test Panel. Stay well-hydrated before your blood draw for easier collection.
How accurate is this test for diagnosing HELLP syndrome? Recent studies show 78.57% sensitivity and 93.75% specificity when combined with clinical factors, making it highly reliable for early detection (PubMed 2023).
What happens if my results are abnormal? Abnormal results require immediate medical evaluation and possible emergency delivery. We recommend contacting your healthcare provider immediately upon receiving positive results.
Can HELLP syndrome be prevented? While not always preventable, regular prenatal care, blood pressure monitoring, and low-dose aspirin (if recommended) can help reduce risk in high-risk pregnancies.
More Details
What is the purpose of this test?
The HELLP Syndrome Blood Test Panel detects a potentially fatal pregnancy complication characterized by Hemolysis (red blood cell breakdown), Elevated Liver enzymes, and Low Platelet count. This comprehensive panel analyzes key biomarkers including lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) for hemolysis detection, liver enzymes (AST/ALT) for hepatic function, and complete blood count with platelets.
Early identification is critical because HELLP syndrome can rapidly progress to severe complications including liver failure, kidney dysfunction, stroke, and maternal death. The condition affects 8-24% of women with severe preeclampsia and carries significant risks for both mother and baby (ACOG Practice Bulletin 2020).
Who would benefit from this test?
This test is essential for pregnant women experiencing symptoms suggestive of HELLP syndrome, particularly those with established risk factors. Primary candidates include women with preeclampsia, previous HELLP syndrome history, or multiple pregnancies. Additional risk factors include advanced maternal age (>35), obesity, autoimmune disorders, and diabetes.
Symptoms warranting immediate testing include severe right upper quadrant or epigastric pain, persistent nausea and vomiting, severe headaches, visual disturbances, and unusual bleeding or bruising. Women with these presentations require urgent evaluation, as early detection significantly improves outcomes for both mother and infant.
When should I order a HELLP Syndrome Blood Test Panel?
Order this panel immediately if experiencing concerning symptoms after 20 weeks of pregnancy or within 7 days postpartum. Critical indications include severe upper abdominal pain, persistent headaches unrelieved by acetaminophen, visual changes like blurred vision or seeing spots, and unusual bleeding or bruising.
Don't wait for multiple symptoms to develop simultaneously. HELLP syndrome can present with only one or two symptoms initially, and rapid progression is common. Women with preeclampsia diagnosis should maintain heightened awareness, as HELLP develops in up to 24% of severe preeclampsia cases (American Academy of Family Physicians 1999).
How do I interpret the results?
HELLP syndrome diagnosis requires abnormalities in all three components measured by this panel. Results are interpreted using established Tennessee and Mississippi classification criteria.
LDH (Lactate Dehydrogenase):
- Normal Range: < 600 U/L
- HELLP Criteria: ≥ 600 U/L
- Clinical Significance: Indicates red blood cell breakdown (hemolysis)
AST/ALT (Liver Enzymes):
- Normal Range: < 40 U/L
- HELLP Criteria: ≥ 70 U/L
- Clinical Significance: Shows liver damage or dysfunction
Platelets:
- Normal Range: 150,000–400,000/mm³
- HELLP Criteria: < 100,000/mm³
- Clinical Significance: Low count increases bleeding risk
HELLP syndrome severity is classified into three classes based on platelet count: Class I (≤50,000), Class II (50,000-100,000), and Class III (100,000-150,000/mm³).
Disclaimer: Reference ranges may vary by laboratory. Listed ranges are general guidelines and may differ from those used by the performing lab. Always consult your healthcare provider for interpretation.
Pre-test preparation
No special preparation is required for the HELLP Syndrome Blood Test Panel. You may eat and drink normally before your appointment. However, staying well-hydrated helps ensure easier blood collection and more comfortable experience.
Continue taking all prescribed medications unless specifically instructed otherwise by your healthcare provider. Inform the laboratory technician of your pregnancy status and gestational age, as this information helps with proper sample handling and result interpretation. Schedule morning appointments when possible for faster laboratory processing and same-day result availability.
How often should I get tested?
Testing frequency depends on your individual risk profile and clinical circumstances. Most women require testing only when symptoms develop or risk factors are present.
- High-risk pregnancy with preeclampsia: Weekly or as symptoms develop
- Previous HELLP syndrome history: Every 2–4 weeks after 20 weeks gestation
- New concerning symptoms: Immediately
- Postpartum monitoring: Daily for the first 48–72 hours if hospitalized
- Follow-up after abnormal results: Every 6–12 hours until stabilized
Why early detection matters
Early detection of HELLP syndrome is lifesaving. Without prompt recognition and treatment, maternal mortality rates can reach 25%, while perinatal mortality ranges from 6.6-60% depending on gestational age at delivery (PMC 2018). Early intervention through immediate delivery when indicated significantly reduces these risks.
Delayed diagnosis leads to severe complications including disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), acute renal failure, pulmonary edema, and cerebral hemorrhage. Women with previous HELLP syndrome face extraordinarily high recurrence risk - 54.4 times higher overall, increasing to 129.5 times if previous HELLP occurred before 29 weeks (PubMed 2018). Early detection enables proactive monitoring and timely intervention in subsequent pregnancies.
Related tests you may consider
Pregnancy Progression Blood Test Panel – Measures quantitative hCG and progesterone levels to monitor early pregnancy health and development. Rising hCG confirms pregnancy, while progesterone supports a healthy uterine environment. Reference ranges help assess trimester-specific hormone levels to support clinical decision-making.
Prenatal Profile (OB) Blood Test with Hepatitis B Surface Antigen – A comprehensive prenatal panel that includes CBC with Differential/Platelet, blood typing (ABO and Rh), Rubella IgG, RPR (syphilis screening), Antibody Screen, and Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg) to help monitor maternal health and identify potential risks to the baby during pregnancy.
Gestational Diabetes Blood Test – Screens for gestational diabetes during pregnancy by measuring blood glucose levels after consuming a glucose solution. Helps identify high blood sugar that could affect pregnancy outcomes and fetal health.
