G6PD Test
Reviewed
This test measures the amount of G6PD enzyme in your blood. It helps check for an inherited G6PD deficiency, which can cause red blood cell destruction (hemolytic anemia) when exposed to certain triggers.
Preparation and collection
No special preparations are needed for this test.
Understanding this test
Use the reference interval and units printed by the laboratory that performed the test. A result outside that interval is not a diagnosis by itself, and a result inside it does not rule out every condition. Your symptoms, history, medicines, timing, and related tests can change what the result means.
- Your symptoms and risk of getting hemolytic anemia can vary, depending on your personal health history and exposure to triggers.
- If you are a woman with slightly lower than normal G6PD, you may be a carrier and might not have symptoms, but you can still pass the defective gene to your children.
- If the test is performed during an episode of hemolytic anemia, the results may be affected and your provider may want to repeat the test in a few weeks.
What to do next
Most people with G6PD deficiency can manage their condition by avoiding triggering substances. Work with your healthcare provider to identify which substances to avoid (e.g., fava beans, certain antibiotics, anti-malarial drugs, NSAIDs). If you are a carrier, consider genetic counseling. Follow up as recommended by your provider.