JamunJar: Health & Wealth for a better tomorrow

🧪 What is G6PD (Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase)?

G6PD is an enzyme present in red blood cells (RBCs) that plays a critical role in protecting them from oxidative damage. It is essential for the pentose phosphate pathway, which produces NADPH — a molecule that protects RBCs against oxidative stress.

A deficiency in G6PD can lead to hemolysis (destruction of red blood cells) when exposed to certain triggers like infections, certain medications, or fava beans.

❓ Why is the G6PD Test Done?

To:

Diagnose G6PD deficiency, a genetic enzymatic disorder
Evaluate patients with unexplained hemolytic anemia
Screen neonates with jaundice
Check before prescribing medications known to trigger hemolysis in G6PD-deficient individuals (e.g., primaquine, sulfa drugs, dapsone)

📊 Normal Range

Test	Reference Range
G6PD Activity (U/g Hb)	7 – 20 U/g Hb (may vary slightly by method and lab)
Qualitative result	Normal / Deficient / Intermediate

Males (XY) usually show clear deficient or normal status;
Females (XX, heterozygous) may show intermediate levels due to lyonization.

📈 Interpretation of Results

Result	Interpretation
Normal G6PD	No deficiency; safe to use oxidative drugs
Mild to Moderate Deficiency	May have hemolysis with strong oxidative stress
Severe Deficiency	Prone to acute hemolytic anemia after certain drugs, infections, or foods
Reticulocytosis / Recent transfusion	May falsely elevate levels (RBCs are newer and have higher G6PD activity)

🔍 In neonates, low G6PD may explain early-onset jaundice or kernicterus risk.

🧠 Associated Organs and Conditions

System	Conditions
Hematologic	- Acute hemolytic anemia - Neonatal jaundice - Chronic non-spherocytic hemolytic anemia
Genetic/Enzymatic	- X-linked recessive inheritance (common in males) - G6PD Mediterranean, African variants
Trigger-related	- Drug-induced hemolysis (antimalarials, sulfa, nitrofurantoin) - Fava bean ingestion (favism) - Infections (e.g., viral hepatitis, pneumonia)

🔄 Related / Follow-Up Tests

CBC with Reticulocyte count – To assess ongoing hemolysis
Peripheral smear – May show bite cells, Heinz bodies
LDH, Indirect bilirubin, Haptoglobin – Hemolysis markers
Coombs test (Direct Antiglobulin Test) – To rule out autoimmune hemolytic anemia
Genetic testing – In ambiguous or family screening cases
Neonatal bilirubin – If done for newborn jaundice

✅ Fasting Required?

Test	Fasting Requirement
G6PD, Whole Blood	❌ Not required – Can be done anytime

📝 Summary Table

Parameter	Summary
What	Enzyme test on whole blood to detect G6PD deficiency in RBCs
Why	Diagnose hereditary hemolysis risk, neonatal jaundice, drug sensitivity
Normal Range	7–20 U/g Hb (lab-specific)
Low Levels	Indicates G6PD deficiency – risk of hemolysis under stress
Follow-up Tests	Retic count, bilirubin, Coombs test, peripheral smear, genetic tests
Fasting Required	❌ No

Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) Whole Blood

1000+ Booked this Test