[Q&A] G6PD problem

Question: salam and good day doc… i have 2 years old G6PD def. son. according to the doc’s list.. he cant take ascorbic acid .. ( vit. c).. but for all this while i’ve been giving him vitamin c as his supplement. so far,, there’s no sign of hemolysis.. so can i proceed with the vit.c? and one more thing,… is it possible for me to bring him to take a blood test just to be sure on his g6pd def? ( because some of my friend did the test on their child after a year and the blood was normal)

Answer: Vitamin C is a known trigger in causing hemolysis in those with G6PD deficiency. However , in some patients the hemolysis may be subtle in which hemolysis occurs slowly and does not appear to cause symptoms like dark urine and pale. Having said that , in the long run this may cause problem.
G6PD is a life long condition . If your child has been diagnosed to have G6PD deficiency , he will continue to have it . G6PD should not be taken during period of hemolysis as the result will be normal as all the old blood with deficient G6PD has hemolysed leaving the ones with relatively good amount of G6PD to be analysed- so it is misleading. I cant comment on your friend’s situation but if you insist , then you may visit the path lab and request for it .