Common "G6pd Deficiency" queries answered by top doctors | iCliniq

G6pd Deficiency

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase is an enzyme responsible for the health of red blood cells. Its deficiency causes hemolysis or destruction of RBCs. It is a genetic disorder transmitted to children from parents with a defective gene on the X chromosome. Males have a high predisposition. In the absence of triggering factors, most people have no symptoms. Fava beans, pollen, and legumes can trigger and cause symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue, rapid heartbeat, fever, dark urine, dizziness, and jaundice. Avoiding the triggers itself relieves the symptoms. If G6PD deficiency progresses to hemolytic anemia, blood transfusions with oxygen therapy may be needed.

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My son is G6PD deficient. What do you advice to cure his anemia?

Query: Hi doctor, My son is G6PD deficient. He is already 10 months old. We have been having CBC since the first month and the result is somehow close. In his latest result, just taken yesterday, RBC is 4.09 (unit:x10^6/μL), hemoglobin is 112 (g/L), hematocrit is 0.33 (L/L) and WBC is 12000 x10^9/μL). Di...  Read Full »


Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Do not try or stop medication on your own. It is advisable to visit his pediatrician or hematologist for an examination. Your child's hemoglobin level remains persistently low as per history. So, chronic hemolysis or intermittent hemolysis might be there. Clinical s...  Read Full »

My 6-month-old son has been diagnosed with G6PD deficiency. Why?

Query: Hi doctor, My son is six months old and has been identified with G6PD deficiency. His hemoglobin levels are 0.92 gm/dL. I want to know whether the deficiency is mild, moderate, or severe. As I read, 10 to 60 percent of the levels are moderate. Also, I have heard legumes are restricted. We have a pul...  Read Full »


Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I went through your query and understood your concern. To classify G6PD (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase) deficiency, clinical hemolytic episodes and hyperbilirubinemia also need to be considered. If there is a continuous hemolysis attack and due to that hemoglobi...  Read Full »

Do my kids need vitamin K injections if I am G6PD deficient?

Query: Hi doctor, I am currently pregnant with twins. I have G6PD deficiency, which I may pass on to my babies. My midwife told me that babies need vitamin K injection at birth. If so, I wanted to know whether my babies need vitamin K at birth and I read that it can be harmful to babies with G6PD deficien...  Read Full »


Dr. Bhaisara Baraturam Bhagrati

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your concern. 1. Vitamin K ingestion at birth is necessary because there are vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors synthesis happen in the liver. If vitamin K is not given, then there will be vitamin K deficiency, which can lead to bleeding. 2. Injectio...  Read Full »

Can my wife breastfeed after taking malaria medication?

Query: Hello doctor, My wife had C section last month. For the last five days, she has had a fever ranging between 99 to 102 degrees Farhenheit. She was given Dolo 650 thrice a day for the last three days. The fever goes down but returns within six to seven hours. Today an antigen test for dengue and malar...  Read Full »


Dr. Utkarsh Sharma

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your concern and will help you regarding it. I have seen the attached reports (attachment removed to protect the patient's identity). Mild elevations in SGOT (serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase) and SGPT (serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase) can occ...  Read Full »

Can a G6PD deficiency patient conceive?

Query: Hello doctor, I have G6PD deficiency since childhood. Presently I am married, and soon planning to conceive. Will I have any complications in the future? How much and till what extent? Is it true that I can never become a mother if I have G6PD? Are there chances or percentage of having a healthy chi...  Read Full »


Dr. Deepthi

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Yes, G6PD deficiency certainly has effects on pregnancy. It is an X-linked recessive disorder, male babies may be affected and female babies may be carriers. Chances of inheritance vary with your partner karyotype also. The severity of symptoms varies depends on your...  Read Full »

Can low G6PD level cause hemolytic anemia?

Query: Hi doctor,Recently, I did a series of blood tests to check my pre-existing G6PD deficiency. The results showed low G6PD levels of 0.4 units/gram of hemoglobin. I have read that anything below 10 % of the normal range can cause hemolytic anemia. Please suggest.  Read Full »


Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have gone through the attachment (attachment removed to protect patient identity). Your G6PD (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase) level is low. But clinical correlation is needed in your case. I suggest you investigate with CBC, reticulocyte count estimation, and perip...  Read Full »

Can beta-thalassemia minor be treated?

Query: Hi doctor, One of my daughters has got beta thalassemia major and G6PD deficiency. Is there any treatment for her? Please advice.  Read Full »


Dr. Geetha Priyadarsini Kamminana

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Beta thalassemia major includes a hereditary disorder and is due to genetic deficiency of beta globin chains of hemoglobin. It is transfusion dependent anemia. Management of beta thalassemia major includes; chronic transfusion to maintain hemoglobin at the range of 9-1...  Read Full »

What is the cause of having recurrent episodes of vomiting in my daughter?

Query: Hello doctor, Last year my daughter decided to go on an all vegetarian diet rather drastically. A few weeks later, she got ill with vomiting which lasted for approximately two weeks, so we made three visits to the urgent care, where she was treated for gastritis and dehydration. One month later, the...  Read Full »


Dr. Sadaf Mustafa

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have two theories here, but I would need a little more information if you would not mind sharing. 1. Has she ever been tested for G6PD (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase) deficiency? 2. During these episodes did she get a CBC (complete blood count) done? 3. Was it c...  Read Full »

Can I have G6PD deficiency if my siblings have it?

Query: Hi,I am a very fit person with a healthy lifestyle. All my brothers and sisters have had hereditary G6PD since birth. I have never been tested. I have no allergies or any issues. But if this condition is genetic, do I have it too?   Read Full »


Dr. J. N. Naidu

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I read your query and understand your concern. G6PD (Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency) test is indicated in newborn infants with jaundice. The test is not mandatory for all newborns. G6PD deficient people may develop a particular type of anemia called hemo...  Read Full »

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