Hemolytic anemia (including G6PD deficiency)

Overview

Hemolysis means red blood cells burst or are destroyed early. When this happens fast, you can become pale, tired, and yellow, and your urine may look dark like tea or cola.

In G6PD deficiency, an inherited enzyme problem, attacks are triggered by certain medicines, fava beans, mothballs, or infections. Other causes include autoimmune disease and some blood disorders.

Symptoms

Symptoms can start suddenly or slowly.

• Yellow skin or eyes
• Dark urine, like tea or cola
• Feeling tired and weak
• Pale skin

Less common

• Fast heartbeat or shortness of breath
• Back or belly pain
• Fever
• Large spleen

When to get medical care

Causes

Causes include inherited conditions (G6PD deficiency, hereditary spherocytosis, sickle cell disease), immune problems, infections, some medicines, and transfusion reactions.

Does it spread or run in families?

• It isn't contagious. You can't catch it from someone else.
• It can run in families. Tell your doctor if a parent, brother, or sister has it.

Who is more likely to get it

• Family history
• African, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, or Asian ancestry (G6PD)
• Autoimmune disease

Possible complications

• Kidney injury: In severe attacks

Diagnosis

Blood tests show red cells breaking down and look for the cause.

Questions you may be asked

• New medicines, fava beans, or mothballs
• Recent infections
• Family history

The exam

They'll check for yellow skin and eyes and a large spleen.

Tests

Tests:

• Blood count, bilirubin, and LDH: Show red cells breaking down.
• Coombs test: Checks for an immune cause.
• G6PD test: Best done weeks after an attack.

Treatment

Treatment stops the cause and supports the body.

Self-care

• Avoid known triggers if you have G6PD deficiency
• Drink fluids
• Carry a list of medicines to avoid

Medicines

Treatment depends on the cause.

OwieClear doesn't give doses: follow the label or your healthcare professional. Medicine names here are examples, not a full list.

Severe attacks may need a blood transfusion. Autoimmune hemolysis is treated with steroids or other immune medicines.

Prevention

With G6PD deficiency:

• Avoid fava beans and mothballs
• Check medicines before taking them

Which doctor treats this

• Start with your primary care provider (family doctor or internist).
• They may send you to a hematologist (blood doctor).

Living with it

Support groups and helplines

• Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD): Free NIH information on rare diseases, including where to find experts and patient groups.
• National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD): Patient groups, help finding care, and aid programs for rare diseases.

Children, pregnancy, and older adults

• Newborns: Babies with G6PD deficiency can get severe jaundice. Watch for yellow skin in the first week.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

• If you're pregnant or planning to be, tell your prenatal provider about this condition.
• Don't start or stop any medicine on your own. Some are safe in pregnancy and some need to be changed.
• Ask before taking any pain reliever. The FDA advises avoiding ibuprofen and naproxen after 20 weeks unless your doctor says to.
• Breastfeeding: Most medicines are fine, but ask. The NIH LactMed database lists what's known about each one.

Outlook

Most people do well once triggers are avoided or the cause is treated.

Getting ready for your visit

List everything you ate and took before symptoms.

What to bring

• Medicine and supplement list

Questions to ask

• What caused this?
• Which medicines and foods should I avoid?

Research studies

Research studies test new ways to find and treat health problems. Some are looking for volunteers. Talk with your doctor before joining one.

Search ClinicalTrials.gov for studies on Hemolytic anemia (including G6PD deficiency)