Haematology
| Full details for "Glucose-6-phosphate-Dehydrogenase". | |
|---|---|
Name |
Glucose-6-phosphate-Dehydrogenase |
Alternative name/Profile |
G6PD |
Department |
Haematology |
Investigation |
G6PD screening test for patients over 16 years of age. |
Specimen type |
Peripheral Blood |
Sample type |
|
Sample container & volume |
2 x 4ml EDTA Purple samples |
Frequency of analysis |
As Required |
Turnaround time |
7 working days. Urgent service available (48Hrs) by prior arrangement only |
Availability |
Routine hours 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday |
Notes |
Please provide full FBC and reticulocyte count with all requests. This test is not performed for GPs outside the St. James's Hospital catchment area.
Samples from patients who are post blood transfusion are not suitable for testing as the test will reflect the status of the blood donor more-so than the recipient, and a deficient result may be masked. Testing should be repeated when patient is at least 4 months transfusion free. Samples from patients undergoing a haemolytic episode are not recommended for testing as a high reticulocyte count may mask a G6PD deficiency. Testing should be repeated once the reticulocytosis has resolved. Sample stability is 7 days stored at 2-8oC. |
Related links |
Purpose of G6PD Screen:
Glucose 6 Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) is an enzyme found within red blood cells, involved in preventing oxidative stress damage to red blood cells. When a patient is deficient in this enzyme, the red blood cells become highly susceptible to oxidative damage, increasing the risk of haemolysis (premature breakdown of red cell cells) when exposed to a trigger, leading to acute anaemia. Most patients with G6PD deficiency are asymptomatic and remain undetected until exposed to an exogenous haemolytic trigger such as ingestion of fava beans (favism), drugs (e.g. dapsone, primaquine, rasburicase), or a bacterial or viral infection. G6PD deficient males are affected by the disease, whereas females are carriers. |
Reference range |
Screen is reported as Normal, Deficient or Equivocal. Samples with deficient or equivocal G6PD screens are referred to Synnovis red Cell Centre at Blackfriar's Road, London for G6PD assay. |
Last updated |
Fri, 23 Jan 2026 15:23:43 GMT |