Another G6PD deficiency question :)

I tire out very fast (can run 200 meters at reasonable speed, but not
much more than that), and would like to know if this can relate to my
G6PD deficiency.

Hi again Juerd!

I'm glad I was able to answer this question since you peaked my
interest in this disorder with your first query.

There definitely could be a link between G6PD deficiency and tiring
out easily.  Documented symptoms include weakness, shortness of
breath, intolerance to physical activity, and fatigue.

***

MEDLINEplus Medical Encyclopedia: Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase
deficiency
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000528.htm#symptoms

"Symptoms 

* Fatigue 
* Pale color 
* Shortness of breath 
* Rapid heart rate 
* Yellow skin color (jaundice) 
* Dark urine 
* Enlarged spleen"


Blood Disorders - G6PD
http://www.methodisthealth.com/blood/glucose.htm

"Symptoms may include:

* abnormal paleness or lack of color of the skin
* jaundice, or yellowing of the skin, eyes, and mouth
* dark color to urine
* fever
* weakness
* dizziness
* confusion
* intolerance to physical activity
* enlargement of the spleen and liver
* increased heart rate (tachycardia)
* heart murmur"

***

Two definitions from a medical glossary site:

MedHelp.org:  G6PD Deficiency
http://www.medhelp.org/glossary2/new/GLS_2147.HTM
"G6PD DEFICIENCY - An inherited condition that results in a deficiency
in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. Particular drugs (sulfonamides)
can exacerbate this problem. The result is hemolytic anemia."

MedHelp.org:  Hemolytic Anemia
http://www.medhelp.org/glossary2/new/gls_2369.htm
"HEMOLYTIC ANEMIA - A condition that results from the cellular
destruction (hemolysis) of red blood cells. The underlying cause may
be autoimmune, genetic, or drug side effect. Symptoms and features
include pallor, fatigue, shortness of breath, bleeding, gums,
nosebleeds, rapid heart rate, jaundice, dark urine, and enlarged
spleen."

***

g6pd deficiency physical activity
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF8&q=g6pd+deficiency+physical+activity

symptoms Glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase
://www.google.com/search?num=100&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF8&q=symptoms+Glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase&btnG=Google+Search

***

I hope this is helpful.  Please request clarification if you need more
info!

>Librarygopher

---

Request for Answer Clarification by juerd-ga on 01 Jul 2002 12:14 PDT

Well, those symptoms are during a hymolitic crisis (anemia), which was
how my parents discovered my disorder when I was a one or two (heh,
I'm not even sure about when) years old. I ate fava beans, and got a
yellow skin...

But the fatigue I'm experiencing is during normal activities, and are
- as far as I know - not related to food.

You say "documented symptoms include weakness, shortness of breath,
intolerance to physical activity, and fatigue". Are those symptoms
every day, or (like the symptoms quoted from websites) incidental?

---

Clarification of Answer by librarygopher-ga on 01 Jul 2002 12:55 PDT

Hi-

On the various sites I've included, the symptoms listed above are
given as those indicated for G6PD deficiency itself, rather than those
exhibited during a hemolytic crisis.  They become much more severe
during a crisis and can even result in death.  HOWEVER, by all
acounts, it is easy to avoid a crisis, so please don't worry.

***

One site I found indicates that "the ultimate effect of the disease is
to produce anemia, either acute hemolytic or a chronic spherocytic
type."  Here's the link:

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency 
http://www.avera.org/adam/ency/article/000528.htm

As you are experiencing a more regular fatigue, perhaps your
exhibiting the more the chronic type of anemia.  Fatigue and weakness
are ALSO symptoms of this kind of anemia:

eMedicine -- Anemia, Chronic
http://www.emedicine.com/EMERG/topic734.htm

Congenital spherocytic anemia 
http://www.drkoop.com/conditions/ency/article/000530.htm

You might also check out lists of food besides fava beans that some
people exhibiting this disorder avoid.  Do you eat any of these items
regularly?  Included are red wine, balsamic vinegar, all legumes,
blueberries, soya products, tonic water, camphor:

Drugs and chemicals that should be avoided by persons with G6PD
deficiency
http://www.rialto.com/favism/avoid.htm

***

Fatigue and quick tiring during normal physical activity are also
symptoms of many other things.  Those symptoms can also be related to
a nutritionally unbalanced diet, not getting enough sleep, getting TOO
MUCH sleep, stress, and so forth.  You should definitely consult with
a specialist (a Hematologist might be a good first choice and he or
she will have familiarity with G6PD deficiency; you might also discuss
the general feelings of fatigue with your general practioner to figure
out other causes).

Again, please ask for further clarification if I have not given you
the answer you need.  I want help you figure this out!

>Librarygopher

Thanks, Librarygohper. Thanks, Google.

Too much sleep might be the problem, maybe tonic water is. I'm going
to try some things.