G6PD deficiency

Updated: 2023-10-20

Description

A condition causing red blood cells to break down because of stress, infection, or other triggers.

Overview

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, also called G6PD deficiency, is a condition caused by a change in genes, called genetic. It's passed through families. The gene change affects part of the red blood cell, an enzyme called G6PD. Triggers include infections, stress, fava beans, aspirin, and other medicines.

Symptoms

Most people with G6PD deficiency have no symptoms. But the triggers can cause red blood cells to be destroyed faster than they're made. Symptoms may include dark urine, jaundice, belly pain, back pain, tiredness, and pale skin if the skin is white. Black skin might look ashen or grey. Brown skin might look yellow.

Treatments

Most people recover without treatment. When a medicine causes the condition, stopping the medicine might be needed. When an illness such as infection causes it, the illness is treated.