When to See a Doctor for G6PD Deficiency

Most people with G6PD deficiency are well most of the time. Knowing when to get help can prevent a serious episode.

Get same-day medical care if you have

• Dark, tea-coloured or cola-coloured urine
• Yellow skin or eyes (jaundice)
• Unusual paleness, tiredness or weakness
• Shortness of breath, fast heartbeat or dizziness
• Symptoms that start after a new medicine, fava beans or an infection
• Reduced urine output

Call 112 or 102 for

• Fainting or collapse
• Severe breathlessness or chest pain
• Confusion or very sleepy behaviour
• A baby who is very yellow, floppy or not feeding

Newborns and babies

• Any yellow colour in the first days of life needs a prompt check.
• Tell the hospital if there is a family history of G6PD deficiency.
• Do not apply henna or use mothballs near babies.

Before starting any medicine

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist you have G6PD deficiency.
• Ask whether the medicine is safe, especially antimalarials, some antibiotics, dapsone and rasburicase.
• Check herbal and Ayurvedic products too.

Before planning a family

Ask for genetic counselling if G6PD deficiency runs in the family.

What to bring

• A list of medicines you take
• Your G6PD test result, or a note saying you have the deficiency
• Details of what you ate or took before symptoms began

When testing is advised

• Newborn jaundice
• Before primaquine, tafenoquine or rasburicase
• After an unexplained haemolytic episode
• In family members of someone with the condition

Ayurvedic or home care

Do not rely on home or herbal treatment for jaundice or dark urine. They need medical assessment.