Hemolysis is the breakdown of red blood cells, which can be normal or excessive. Learn about the types, causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of hemolytic anemia, a condition caused by excessive hemolysis. Hemolysis is the breakdown of red blood cells in the bloodstream. Learn about the normal and abnormal processes of hemolysis, the conditions that can cause it, and how it affects your health. Hemolysis, breakdown or destruction of red blood cells so that the contained oxygen-carrying pigment hemoglobin is freed into the surrounding medium. Hemolysis occurs normally in a small percentage of red blood cells as a means of removing aged cells from the bloodstream and freeing heme for iron Hemolysis is the rupturing of red blood cells and the release of their contents into surrounding fluid. It can be caused by various factors, such as infections, autoimmune disorders, genetic defects, or toxins, and can lead to anemia, jaundice, or kidney failure.