What is a G6PD test?

This test measures the amount of G6PD in the blood. G6PD stands for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, an enzyme that helps red blood cells work properly. Red blood cells move oxygen from your lungs to every cell in your body. Your cells need oxygen to grow, reproduce, and stay healthy.

If you don't have enough G6PD, it's known as  G6PD deficiency this is a genetic disorder . G6PD deficiency can cause the destruction of red blood cells. When red blood cells are destroyed faster than the body can replace them, it's called hemolytic anemia. If you have hemolytic anemia, your cells don't get all the oxygen they need.

Most people with G6PD deficiency don't have symptoms of disease until they are exposed to certain "triggers," which set off the destruction of red blood cells. Triggers include:

• Fava beans, also called broad beans
• Viaral infections 
• Bacterial infections 
• Certain a antibiotics 
• Anti-malaria medicines

G6PD test is used to check for a G6PD deficiency or Not .

      Glucose-6-phosphate Dehydrogenase           deficiency: G-6-PD role in the stability of                        the RBC membrane

              G-6-PD deficiency mechanism

procedure : Laboratory  Technician will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube.

There are no special preparations needed for a G6PD test.

Interpertation : 

Qualitative: 

Quantitative: 

If your results show you have lower than normal amounts of G6PD, it means you have a G6PD deficiency. But your symptoms and risk of getting hemolytic anemia can vary depending on your personal health history and exposure to triggers.

Women who have slightly lower than normal amounts of G6PD may be "carriers" of a G6PD deficiency. That means they have one defective G6PD gene and one normal G6PD gene. These women rarely have symptoms, as their normal G6PD genes usually make enough healthy red blood cells. But they have a risk of passing on the defective gene to their children. Male children are more likely to develop G6PD symptoms than female children.