G6pD Deficiency Symptoms - Keep Your Eyes Open To These

G6pd is a hereditary disorder in which there isn't enough, or the body does not have the enzyme g6pd or glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase. G6pd deficiency symptoms appear when a person is exposed to foods, medicines and substances prohibited for the patient.


These enzymes are important because it helps the red blood cells  function normally; it prevents  the red blood cells from breaking down prematurely; in the absence of these enzymes, the red blood cells are destroyed upon ingestion of certain foods or substances. A patient remains asymptomatic,  meaning he will not show any g6pd deficiency symptoms, until after he has eaten or inhaled, or has come in contact with these symptom triggers.

These g6pd deficiency symptoms may include:

Jaundice is one of the common symptoms of G6pd deficiency

1. dark urine - the high levels of bilirubin in the blood is the reason why urine becomes, dark and yellow-orange.
2. shortness of breath – or dyspnea occurs because there is a lack of oxygen being transported in the body due to the rapid destruction of red blood cells
3. paleness – happens when the patient has reduced blood cells in his body; decrease in this  red blood cell will make the skin look pale. This is an indication of the g6pd symptoms
4. fatigue – a regular diet, exercise and enough sleep are some ways to overcome fatigue. The individual experiencing fatigue must ensure that he gets sufficient rest to energize the body.
5. rapid heart rate – can be avoided by refraining from eating foods that will trigger g6pd deficiency symptoms. Avoid foods that stimulates the heart.
6. enlarged spleen – this happens when it works over time to filter blood cells as in the case of hemolytic anemia
7. jaundice – skin and mucous membranes; including the whites of the eye (sclerae) becomes yellowish in color; bilirubin is the chemical left in the blood, when a red blood cell is destroyed, this is a waste product that is for excretion by the liver. This happens when the destruction of the red blood cells are too fast that the liver is having a hard time to keep up with the bilirubin in the blood, thus the yellowish color of the skin is visible.
8. sudden rise of body temperature – as in all cases of infections, fever is a sign that the body is fighting something foreign to the body; like the substance in the food or drug which made the patient exhibit these g6pd symptom
9. general weakness – if the patient becomes overly fatigued, he will experience weakness in all body parts; he will feel that his physical condition is deteriorating.

Awareness of the patient, as well as his family and friends,  of  the foods that maybe harmful to him is very crucial in the prevention of  these g6pd deficiency symptoms. Avoidance of these harmful foods and substances will make him comfortable and will enable the patient to live a normal and healthy life. Proper communication is the key to strictly implement that only allowed foods are to be taken by the patient.


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