Do you sometimes feel unusually tired or lethargic for no reason? Does your skin look yellow? Or does your newborn baby's jaundice not go away after two weeks? The cause of these things may be a deficiency in an enzyme called G6PD in your body. Don't worry, this is a very common condition. Today, we'll talk simply and clearly about what G6PD is, what happens when it's low, and the G6PD test.
What is G6PD simply?
Think of the red blood cells in our bodies as soldiers at work. There is a 'guard' that protects these soldiers from various harmful things. That guard is an enzyme called G6PD.
Simply put, G6PD (Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase) is a very important enzyme that protects our cells, especially the red blood cells in our blood, from harmful chemicals. Our body produces harmful substances (also called 'Free Radicals' or 'Reactive Oxygen Species' ) that are produced during normal functioning. The G6PD enzyme does this by preventing these harmful substances from accumulating and damaging the cells.
What happens when G6PD is low?
Now imagine what happens if that 'protector' (G6PD) is low in the body? Then those harmful things come and start destroying our red blood cells. This process of red blood cells breaking down faster than they can be made is called hemolysis .
When you lose a large number of red blood cells in this way, your body doesn't get the oxygen it needs. That's what we call anemia, or more precisely, hemolytic anemia . This is why you feel tired, weak, and pale all the time.
How does G6PD deficiency occur?
G6PD deficiency is a hereditary genetic condition . This means that it is something you inherit from your parents. When there is a mutation in the gene that instructs you to make the G6PD enzyme, the amount of this enzyme produced in the body decreases.
But the important thing here is that not everyone with G6PD deficiency will develop symptoms. Many people live normal lives without any problems. However, some external factors (we call these 'triggers') can cause symptoms to appear suddenly.
Triggers that trigger G6PD symptoms
These triggers cause the body to suddenly increase the amount of those harmful 'free radicals' we talked about. A person with G6PD deficiency cannot control these increasing harmful substances. That's when the red blood cells start to break down, and symptoms appear.
| Trigger Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Some foods | Fava beans in particular. Symptoms can be triggered by eating them or even inhaling their pollen. This condition is also called 'Favism'. |
| Some medications | Some painkillers like Aspirin, Acetaminophen (Paracetamol), some Sulfa medicines, some antibiotics and malaria medicines are the main ones. Do not take any medicine without medical advice. |
| Viral and bacterial infections | Any infection, from the common cold to severe infections, can trigger G6PD symptoms. |
G6PD deficiency is more common in men than women, and is more common in people of African, Asian, and Mediterranean descent.
Who needs to get the G6PD test?
Your doctor may recommend a G6PD test (a simple blood test), especially if you have any of the following symptoms:
- Excessive fatigue and weakness for no reason
- Pale skin
- Difficulty breathing or wheezing
- Heart palpitations
- Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
- Dark urine (cola-colored)
- Back or abdominal pain
- The current state of confusion
Take special care of newborn babies.
It's normal for a newborn baby to have jaundice. But if it lasts for more than two weeks , the baby's urine turns dark, and the stools turn pale, the doctor may suspect G6PD deficiency and perform this test.
How to understand the test report?
G6PD test results can vary slightly from lab to lab, so only your doctor can give you the most accurate information . However, there are generally three types of results.
- Normal: You have enough G6PD enzyme in your body. You do not have G6PD deficiency.
- Moderate Deficiency: Enzyme levels are between 10% and 60% of normal. These people usually only experience symptoms when they have an infection or take an adverse drug reaction.
- Severe Deficiency: The enzyme is present at less than 10% of normal levels. These people may have persistent anemia or frequent symptoms.
Treatment and management of G6PD deficiency
G6PD deficiency is not a completely curable disease, as it is a genetic condition. However, if managed properly, you can live a healthy life without any problems .
The best thing to do is to avoid the 'triggers' that bring on the symptoms. This is the main treatment.
You should:
- Avoid eating fava beans completely.
- Avoid taking painkillers such as Aspirin and Acetaminophen (Paracetamol) without your doctor's approval.
- Inform your doctor that you have G6PD deficiency before prescribing any medication .
- Seek medical attention immediately if you develop any infection.
If your symptoms are mild, your doctor may prescribe folic acid and iron pills. If your anemia is severe, you may need to be hospitalized and given a blood transfusion or oxygen therapy.
Keep in mind that antioxidants such as Vitamin E will not help this condition.
Take-Home Message
- G6PD deficiency is a common genetic condition that is passed down through generations and is nothing to be afraid of.
- Many people have no symptoms at all. Symptoms appear when they are exposed to 'triggers' such as fava beans, certain medications, or infections.
- The main management is to avoid these triggers.
- If you have G6PD deficiency, it is imperative to inform any doctor before seeking treatment.
- If you experience symptoms such as sudden extreme fatigue, yellowing of the skin, or dark urine, see your doctor immediately.
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