Saturday, February, 11, 2012

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency

Table of Contents

Alternative Names

G-6-PD deficiency; Hemolytic anemia due to G6PD deficiency; Anemia - hemolytic due to G6PD deficiency


Symptoms

Persons with this condition do not display any signs of the disease until their red blood cells are exposed to certain chemicals in food or medicine, or to stress.

Symptoms are more common in men and may include:

  • Dark urine
  • Enlarged spleen
  • Fatigue
  • Pallor
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Shortness of breath
  • Yellow skin color (jaundice)

Signs and tests

A blood test can be done to check the level of G6PD. See: G6PD screen

Other tests that may be done include:

  • Bilirubin level
  • Complete blood count, including red blood cell count
  • Hemoglobin - blood
  • Hemoglobin - urine
  • Haptoglobin level
  • LDH test
  • Methemoglobin reduction test
  • Reticulocyte count

Review Date: 03/28/2010
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and James R. Mason, MD, Oncologist, Director, Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program and Stem Cell Processing Lab, Scripps Clinic, Torrey Pines, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)