Table of contents:
- Definition
- What is G6PD deficiency?
- How common is this condition?
- Signs and Symptoms
- What are the signs and symptoms of G6PD deficiency?
- When should I see a doctor?
- Cause
- What causes G6PD deficiency?
- Triggers
- What are the risk factors for G6PD deficiency?
- Diagnosis and Treatment
- How is this condition diagnosed?
- What are the treatments for G6PD deficiency anemia?
- Home remedies
- What can I do at home to treat G6PD deficiency?
- 1. Take antibiotics
- 2. Take aspirin
- 3. Fava beans
- 4. Some types of food, supplements, and product additives
- 5. Consumption of antimalarial drugs
Definition
What is G6PD deficiency?
G6PD (Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase) deficiency is a genetic disorder that commonly occurs in men. G6PD is an enzyme that helps red blood cells work while protecting them from potentially damaging substances.
A deficiency in the G6PD enzyme can put you at high risk for anemia. This condition belongs to one type of anemia, so it is called G6PD deficiency anemia.
G6PD deficiency can cause red blood cells to break down more quickly (hemolysis) when the sufferer is exposed to certain drugs or chemicals, has certain viral or bacterial infections, and / or inhales pollen from, or consumes certain nuts. This condition is called hemolytic anemia.
This type of anemia occurs when red blood cells are destroyed faster than the body can replace them. As a result, blood flow to organs and tissues is reduced. This can cause fatigue, yellowing of the skin and eyes, and shortness of breath.
How common is this condition?
This anemia is inherited as a genetic characteristic of the X chain (X chromosome, i.e. sex chromosome). This condition is more common in men. G6PD deficiency anemia occurs due to inherited errors concerning metabolism that often occur in humans. More than 300 variants of this disorder have been identified that result from mutations in the G6PD gene.
The severity of the symptoms of this condition usually varies. However, this can be overcome by reducing your risk factors. Talk to your doctor for more information.
Signs and Symptoms
What are the signs and symptoms of G6PD deficiency?
Depending on the type, anemia causes distinctive symptoms. Some of the common signs and symptoms of G6PD deficiency are:
- Fast heart rate
- Hard to breathe
- Dark or orange-yellow urine
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Dizzy
- Pale
- Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice)
When should I see a doctor?
Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent this condition from worsening and other medical emergencies, so consult your doctor as soon as possible to prevent this serious condition.
If you experience any of the signs or symptoms listed above, or have any questions, please consult your doctor. Everyone's body reacts differently. It is always best to discuss what is best for your situation with your doctor.
Cause
What causes G6PD deficiency?
The causes of anemia can vary. As the name implies, G6PD deficiency anemia is caused by genetic factors, which are passed on from one or both parents to their child. The defective gene that causes this deficiency is found on the X chromosome, which is one of the two sex chromosomes.
Normally, men only have one X (XY) chromosome, while women have two X (XX) chromosomes.
In males, one copy of the mutated gene on the X chromosome is enough to cause G6PD deficiency. In contrast, in women, the mutation must occur in both copies of the X gene.
Generally, it is not possible for women to have two mutated copies of the X chromosome. That is why men are usually more prone to this condition.
Triggers
What are the risk factors for G6PD deficiency?
Many scientists believe that there are a large number of factors that increase a person's risk for developing this condition. The risk factors below are considered to be the most common.
You're at higher risk for G6PD deficiency anemia if you:
- A man
- African-American blood
- Middle Eastern descent
- Have a family history of this condition
Have one or more of these risk factors does not mean You certainlywill have a G6PD deficiency. Consult your doctor if you are concerned about your risk for developing this condition.
Diagnosis and Treatment
The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor for more information.
How is this condition diagnosed?
If your doctor suspects that you may have anemia due to G6PD deficiency, your doctor will perform a physical exam. Your doctor may also order a number of tests that are necessary for general anemia diagnosis.
Doctors can diagnose G6PD deficiency anemia by performing a simple blood test to check the levels of the G6PD enzyme.
Some other diagnostic tests that may also be done include:
- Complete blood count
- Serum hemoglobin test
- Reticulocyte count
All of these tests are used to help your doctor measure the number of red blood cells in your body and determine whether you have hemolytic anemia or not.
During your visit to your doctor, it is important to tell your doctor about your diet and any medications you are currently taking. These details will help the doctor to make a more clear diagnosis.
What are the treatments for G6PD deficiency anemia?
Anemia treatment varies, depending on the type. Treatment of G6PD deficiency anemia aims to get rid of the things that can trigger the symptoms.
If your G6PD deficiency worsens due to an infection, your doctor will treat the infection.
Any medications that are being taken that might destroy the red blood cells will also be stopped. In this situation, most people can recover from G6PD deficiency on their own.
However, if G6PD deficiency anemia has progressed to hemolytic anemia, more aggressive treatment can be undertaken. Treatment often involves oxygen therapy and blood transfusions to keep up the oxygen and red blood cell levels.
You will likely be hospitalized while receiving this treatment. Monitoring of severe hemolytic anemia is crucial to ensure complete recovery without complications due to anemia.
Home remedies
What can I do at home to treat G6PD deficiency?
There are many useful tips to help patients with G6PD deficiency, including efforts to prevent anemia. Some of the ways to prevent anemia due to a lack of the G6PD enzyme are to avoid discipline of things that can trigger episodes of relapse of this condition.
Here are the things you need to avoid if you have G6PD deficiency anemia.
1. Take antibiotics
Patients with G6PD deficiency anemia can actually take antibiotics. However, some types of antibiotics can trigger the formation of antibodies that mistakenly perceive red blood cells as a threat. As a result, red blood cells break down quickly and trigger symptoms of anemia.
If you are deficient in the G6PD enzyme, consult your doctor before taking any antibiotics. As an illustration, here are some common antibiotics that you need to avoid:
- Cephalosporin group
- Quinolone groups such as ciprofloxacin, moxifloxacine, and norfloxacine
- The penicillin group and its derivative drugs
- The nitrofuran group such as nitrofurantoin and nitrofurazone
- The sulfonamide group starting with 'sulfa'
- Chlorampenicol
2. Take aspirin
Although effective in dealing with pain, aspirin is one of the taboos for G6PD deficiency disease. This is because the acetylsalicylic acid in aspirin can trigger the breakdown of red blood cells like antibiotics.
Instead of aspirin, you can choose ibuprofen which is safer. Paracetamol is also relatively safe, but this drug poses a small risk for people with G6PD deficiency anemia. If symptoms appear after you take paracetamol, stop using the drug immediately.
3. Fava beans
Consumption of fava beans can cause symptoms of anemia in people who are deficient in G6PD. In the past, many people suspected that the condition was known as favism this is due to an allergic reaction to fava beans. In fact, this is not the case.
Experts found that fava beans contain high amounts of vicine and convicine compounds. Both can trigger the destruction of red blood cells.
4. Some types of food, supplements, and product additives
Apart from fava beans, several types of food, supplements, and additional ingredients found in certain products can also trigger the destruction of red blood cells.
Launch The Aga Khan University HospitalHere are some products you need to avoid:
- Soya bean products
- Blueberry and products containing the fruit
- Foods containing synthetic blue coloring or ascorbic acid
- Tonic water contains quinine
- Lozenges, lozenges, and mouth rinses contain menthol
- Vitamin K supplements
- Unclear iron supplement dosage
5. Consumption of antimalarial drugs
Other types of drugs that are taboo for people with G6PD deficiency anemia are antimalarial drugs, especially those ending in 'quine'. The reason is none other than because this drug can cause the breakdown of many red blood cells in a fast time.
For this reason, people who need to take anti-malarial drugs usually need to undergo tests first to determine if they have G6PD deficiency. If so, the doctor needs to provide another, safer antimalarial drug.
