Coombs Test, Direct Test in Kathmandu

About this test

The Direct Coombs Test, properly called the Direct Antiglobulin Test, looks for antibodies or complement proteins already stuck to the surface of your own red blood cells. A special antihuman globulin reagent is added to washed red cells; if antibody is coating them, the cells clump together and the test reads positive. This matters because antibody-coated red cells are flagged for early destruction by the spleen, leading to a type of anaemia caused by the cells breaking down rather than by iron or vitamin shortage. Doctors order it when blood counts and the peripheral smear point to haemolysis — falling haemoglobin, jaundice, dark urine, an enlarged spleen, a raised reticulocyte count, high LDH and bilirubin, and low haptoglobin. It is the key test to confirm autoimmune haemolytic anaemia, and it is read alongside those markers rather than in isolation. In newborns it is central to investigating jaundice and anaemia from blood-group incompatibility between mother and baby, such as Rh or ABO disease, which remains an important cause of neonatal jaundice in Kathmandu's maternity units where antenatal blood-group screening is not yet universal. The test also helps explain a haemolytic transfusion reaction, drug-induced haemolysis, and red-cell breakdown seen in some lupus, lymphoma and infection cases. A negative result makes antibody-mediated haemolysis unlikely, while a positive result tells your doctor that your immune system, transfused blood, or a medicine is the likely culprit, guiding the next steps in treatment.

Sample type

Whole blood (EDTA)

Preparation

No fasting required. Drink water normally. If the test is for a newborn, the sample is usually taken from the cord blood or with a small heel/vein prick — please bring the baby's blood group and the mother's blood group report if you have them.

Turnaround time

Reports for Coombs Test, Direct are typically ready within: Same Day. Reports can be collected at the clinic during opening hours or shared via WhatsApp once they are ready.

Also known as

Other hematology tests we run

These are routinely ordered alongside Coombs Test, Direct or as part of the same diagnostic workup.

How to book

WhatsApp is the fastest way — message us with the test name and your preferred time, and we'll confirm a slot the same day. You can also walk into the clinic at Rumba Chowk, Sanobharang any day between 7AM and 8PM, or fill in our online booking form.