Glucose 6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase, often abbreviated as G6PD (or G-6-PD), plays a critical role in the body's cellular function. This enzyme is vital for the health of all cells, but it's particularly crucial for red blood cells.
G6PD helps cells manage oxidative stress. Oxidative stress occurs when there's an imbalance between the production of harmful free radicals (unstable molecules that can damage cells) and the body's ability to counteract their harmful effects through neutralization with antioxidants. G6PD aids in the production of NADPH, a molecule that plays a key role in the antioxidant defense system of cells. Specifically, NADPH helps maintain the supply of glutathione, a powerful antioxidant that protects red blood cells from damage.
The importance of G6PD comes into the spotlight when we consider its role in maintaining the integrity and functionality of red blood cells. These cells are responsible for transporting oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body and returning carbon dioxide back to the lungs for exhalation. Because red blood cells are continuously exposed to oxygen, they are particularly susceptible to oxidative damage. G6PD ensures that red blood cells can protect themselves against such damage and thus, maintain their crucial function in oxygen transportation.
However, when there's a deficiency in G6PD, red blood cells are more vulnerable to oxidative stress, leading to a condition known as hemolytic anemia. In hemolytic anemia, red blood cells are destroyed faster than they can be made, resulting in fatigue, jaundice (a yellowing of the skin and eyes), and other symptoms due to the lack of adequate oxygen delivery to the body's tissues. This condition can be triggered by various factors, including certain foods, infections, and medications that increase oxidative stress within red blood cells.
A G6PD test, specifically a quantitative test, measures the exact amount of the enzyme present in the blood. This test is crucial for diagnosing G6PD deficiency. Knowing the precise levels of G6PD helps healthcare providers manage and advise patients with the deficiency on how to avoid triggers that may lead to hemolytic anemia. It's particularly important in regions where G6PD deficiency is common or for individuals of certain ethnic backgrounds that have a higher prevalence of this condition.
Understanding G6PD and its significance requires a look at both the cellular level, where it helps protect cells from oxidative damage, and the broader impacts, such as its role in preventing hemolytic anemia. Through the quantitative measurement of G6PD, healthcare providers can better diagnose, manage, and provide guidance to those affected by G6PD deficiency, improving their quality of life and preventing potential complications.
Your medical lab tests hold vital information about your health. Our tools help you understand what's going on and how to take action.
$15 $5.99/first month
Cancel or upgrade anytime
High levels of Glucose 6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) in the blood are quite unusual and typically do not indicate a specific health problem. In fact, the primary concern with G6PD usually revolves around having too little of it rather than too much. G6PD deficiency, where levels of the enzyme are lower than normal, can lead to problems like hemolytic anemia. However, if a test shows high levels of G6PD, it's often not considered clinically significant in the same way a deficiency is. That said, in rare cases, elevated G6PD levels might be seen in individuals who have an increased production of red blood cells or in certain recovery phases after a bout of hemolytic anemia, where the body is compensating by producing more red blood cells, some of which might be young cells (reticulocytes) with higher enzyme levels. Nevertheless, the interpretation of high G6PD levels should be considered within the context of the patient's overall health, symptoms, and medical history. It's important to remember that the enzyme's primary role is to protect cells from damage caused by oxidative stress, and the focus in G6PD discussions typically centers on the risks associated with not having enough of this protective enzyme.
Anthony
Unlimited Plan Member since 2021
I have been using Healthmatters.io since 2021. I travel all over the world and use different doctors and health facilities. This site has allowed me to consolidate all my various test results over 14 years in one place. And every doctor that I show this to has been impressed. Because with any health professional I talk to, I can pull up historical results in seconds. It is invaluable. Even going back to the same doctor, they usually do not have the historical results from their facility in a graph format. That has been very helpful.
Karin
Advanced Plan Member since 2020
What fantastic service and great, easy-to-follow layouts! I love your website; it makes it so helpful to see patterns in my health data. It's truly a pleasure to use. I only wish the NHS was as organized and quick as Healthmatters.io. You've set a new standard for health tracking!
Paul
Healthmatters Pro Member since 2024
As a PRO member and medical practitioner, Healthmatters.io has been an invaluable tool for tracking my clients' data. The layout is intuitive, making it easy to monitor trends and spot patterns over time. The ability to customize reports and charts helps me present information clearly to my clients, improving communication and outcomes. It's streamlined my workflow, saving me time and providing insights at a glance. Highly recommended for any practitioner looking for a comprehensive and user-friendly solution to track patient labs!
Low levels of Glucose 6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) signify a deficiency in this crucial enzyme, which can lead to a condition known as G6PD deficiency. This condition is particularly significant because G6PD plays a vital role in helping red blood cells protect themselves against oxidative damage—harm caused by free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can damage cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body, and without enough G6PD, these cells are more vulnerable to breaking down when faced with oxidative stress. This breakdown can lead to hemolytic anemia, a state where the body doesn't have enough red blood cells to transport oxygen effectively, causing symptoms like fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, and a yellowing of the skin and eyes known as jaundice. The triggers for this oxidative stress can be varied, including certain foods (like fava beans), infections, and some medications. Therefore, low G6PD levels are a signal that the body may not be adequately equipped to handle these oxidative challenges, leading to potential health issues that stem from the inability of red blood cells to function properly.
Does a low G6PD level mean that I have a G6PD deficiency?
Not necessarily, but a low G6PD level is a strong indicator of G6PD deficiency. The G6PD test measures the activity of the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase enzyme in your blood. Typically, levels below the normal range suggest that your body may not be producing enough of the enzyme, which is the hallmark of G6PD deficiency. However, various factors can influence test results, including the testing methodology, your health status at the time of the test, and laboratory variations.
It's also important to consider that G6PD levels can fluctuate in the body, especially during or after an episode of illness, infection, or exposure to oxidative stress. Moreover, certain populations may have genetic variants of the enzyme that could affect the test's interpretation.
If your G6PD levels are found to be low, a healthcare professional would likely consider your clinical history, signs, and symptoms, along with possibly repeating the test or performing additional tests, before definitively diagnosing you with G6PD deficiency. It's a condition with a genetic basis, so a comprehensive evaluation including family history and genetic testing might be necessary for a conclusive diagnosis.
What are treatment options?
Treatment options for G6PD deficiency mainly focus on avoiding triggers that lead to oxidative stress in red blood cells, as there is no cure for the deficiency itself. This preventive approach includes steering clear of certain foods, like fava beans and other legumes, and certain drugs that can exacerbate the condition, such as certain antibiotics, aspirin, and quinine. People with G6PD deficiency should also be cautious about exposure to infections and chemicals that could trigger hemolysis (the breakdown of red blood cells). In cases where hemolytic anemia occurs, treatment might involve supportive care, such as hydration and rest, and in more severe cases, hospitalization may be necessary to provide oxygen therapy, blood transfusions, or other treatments to manage symptoms and complications. It's crucial for individuals with G6PD deficiency to have ongoing consultations with healthcare providers who can offer personalized advice and monitor their health to prevent and manage potential complications. Awareness and education about the condition are key, as understanding the triggers can significantly reduce the risk of hemolytic episodes and improve quality of life.
Guiding our users for 10 years to promptly understand, track, and act on their laboratory results.
$15 $5.99/first month
Cancel your subscription at any time.
$250/once
full premium version
$45/month
track your clients’ labs
Cancel your subscription at any time.
Guiding our users for 10 years to promptly understand, track, and act on their laboratory results.
Personal plans
track personal results
Professional Plan
track multiple client's results
$15 $5.99/first month
$250/once
own it for life
$45/month
for health professionals
Complete Plan
Unlimited Plan
$15 $5.99
$250 full version
Are you a health professional?
Level up your lab report analysis with our Pro plan, built for health practitioners like you.
Health Business Account
$45/month
Cancel your subscription at any time.
Unlock additional Pro plans when you sign up.
Anthony
Unlimited Plan Member since 2021
I have been using Healthmatters.io since 2021. I travel all over the world and use different doctors and health facilities. This site has allowed me to consolidate all my various test results over 14 years in one place. And every doctor that I show this to has been impressed. Because with any health professional I talk to, I can pull up historical results in seconds. It is invaluable. Even going back to the same doctor, they usually do not have the historical results from their facility in a graph format. That has been very helpful.
Karin
Advanced Plan Member since 2020
What fantastic service and great, easy-to-follow layouts! I love your website; it makes it so helpful to see patterns in my health data. It's truly a pleasure to use. I only wish the NHS was as organized and quick as Healthmatters.io. You've set a new standard for health tracking!
Paul
Healthmatters Pro Member since 2024
As a PRO member and medical practitioner, Healthmatters.io has been an invaluable tool for tracking my clients' data. The layout is intuitive, making it easy to monitor trends and spot patterns over time. The ability to customize reports and charts helps me present information clearly to my clients, improving communication and outcomes. It's streamlined my workflow, saving me time and providing insights at a glance. Highly recommended for any practitioner looking for a comprehensive and user-friendly solution to track patient labs!
Healthmatters is a highly-personalized health dashboard.
Instead of searching for your lab results in different places or tracking them down from different providers, Healthmatters houses, organizes, and interprets them all in one central location.
With a Healthmatters account, you can dive into the details of each biomarker and gain insights into the meaning behind your medical test data, anytime, anywhere.
For our professional users, Healthmatters provides intuitive tools that not only streamline analysis but also save valuable time when delving into your client's lab report history.
Healthmatters.io personal account provides in-depth research on 4000+ biomarkers, including information and suggestions for test panels such as, but not limited to:
You can combine all test reports inside your Healthmatters account and keep them in one place. It gives you an excellent overview of all your health data. Once you retest, you can add new results and compare them.
If you are still determining whether Healthmatters support your lab results, the rule is that if you can test it, you can upload it to Healthmatters.
While we work with many popular labs, we welcome reports from lots of other places too.
It's as simple as this: if you can get a test done, you can upload it to Healthmatters and we can interpret results from any lab out there. If laboratories can analyze it, we can interpret it.
If you’re on the hunt for a specific biomarker, contact us and we'll add it to our database. Anything from blood, urine, saliva, or stool can be uploaded, understood, and tracked with your Healthmatters account.
There are two ways to add your test reports to your Healthmatters account. One option is to input the data using the data entry forms. The other method is to utilize our "Data entry service."
Our data entry forms offer an easy, fast, and free way for you to input the reports yourself. Self-entry allows you to add an unlimited number of reports at no cost. We make the self-entry process user-friendly, providing dozens of templates that pre-populate the most popular laboratory panels and offering instant feedback on entered values.
For those who prefer assistance, we offer a "Data entry service" to help you input your data. Simply attach an image or file of your lab test results, and a qualified team member from our data entry team will add the results for you.
We support various file types, including PDFs, JPGs, or Excel. This service is particularly useful if you have many reports to upload or if you're too busy to handle the data entry yourself.
Our special data entry service makes it easy to add your results to your private dashboard. Just attach an image or a file of your lab test results, and our skilled data entry team will do the work for you. It's all done by humans, ensuring that your data is entered accurately and with personal care for each client.
Depending on your account, the data entry service can be included for free or come at an additional cost of $15 per report.
For users on the Complete monthly plan, the first report is entered free of charge, and each additional report incurs a fee of $15.
Unlimited account holders enjoy the entry of ten reports without charge. Subsequent reports are subject to a $15 fee per report.
Additionally, users on the Complete plan can upgrade to a yearly subscription from the account settings. The annual subscription includes a data entry service for five reports.
The Unlimited plan is a one-time purchase for $250, and it covers your account for a lifetime with no additional payments.
For the Complete plan, the cost is $15 per month. You have the flexibility to cancel it anytime through your account settings, ensuring no further payments. To avoid charges, remember to cancel at least a day before the renewal date. Once canceled, the subscription remains active until the end of the current billing cycle.
Additionally, you can upgrade to the yearly Advanced plan from within your account. The annual cost is $79, and it comes with a data entry service for five reports.
You can always upgrade to a lifetime version with a prorated price from a monthly or yearly subscription.
Simply log in and navigate to your account settings to cancel your subscription. Scroll down to locate the 'Cancel' button at the bottom of the page. Ensure you cancel at least one day before the renewal date to prevent any charges. Once cancellation is requested, the subscription remains active until the conclusion of the current billing cycle.
Our goal has been to make your Healthmatters account as intuitive as possible.
We’ve crafted multiple ways for you to navigate your data, whether you're glancing at a single report or delving into your historical test reports.
1. Graph View:Dive into a visual journey with our biomarker graphs, showcasing over 40 data points. Combining years of results unveils trends, empowering you to make informed decisions. Our visualization tools make it a breeze to compare and understand changes over time, even if your results are from different labs. A search function and filters simplify the exploration of extensive data, allowing you to focus on what needs attention.
2. All Tests ViewExplore neatly organized reports on a timeline, highlighting crucial details like dates, critical results, and lab/panel names. Each report opens up to reveal in-depth descriptions and additional recommendations for each biomarker. The history of previous results is just a click away, and you can download a comprehensive report for deeper insights. Color-coded and user-friendly, it's designed for easy reading, understanding, and navigation.
3. Table View:For a holistic view of all biomarkers side by side, our table view is your go-to. Results are neatly displayed in a categorized and dated table, ideal for those with an extensive test history. Utilize sorting, filters, and color-coding to enhance your analysis and gain extra insights.
Yes, you can download information from your account. We can compile your labs into a CSV file. To download all your labs, you can go to Account Settings, and at the bottom of the page, you will find a link to download your information.
Yes, you can print your report. To do so, navigate to "All tests" and open the report you wish to print. You'll find a print button in the right corner of the report. Click on it, and your browser's print window will open. If you prefer to print in a bigger typeface, adjust the scale using the print window settings.
Yes, you can! We highly recommend activating Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for your account. To do so, please navigate to the "Profile and Security" section of your account, where you will find instructions for activating 2FA.
Yes, you can. When entering values for the biomarker, you will see an "Edit Range" button. Click this button, and you'll have the option to enter a custom range.
A personal account is all about keeping your own lab test results in check. It's just for you and your personal use.
The professional account is designed for health professionals who wish to track and organize their clients' laboratory results.
To learn more about Healthmatters Pro, please refer to the professional page.
At HealthMatters, we're committed to maintaining the security and confidentiality of your personal information. We've put industry-leading security standards in place to help protect against the loss, misuse, or alteration of the information under our control. We use procedural, physical, and electronic security methods designed to prevent unauthorized people from getting access to this information. Our internal code of conduct adds additional privacy protection. All data is backed up multiple times a day and encrypted using SSL certificates. See our Privacy Policy for more details.
11dhTxB2/Creatinine (AspirinWorks), Absolute Reticulocytes, Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Phenotype, Alpha-1-Antitrypsin, Serum, Ammonia, Angiotensin-1-Converting Enzyme, Beta-2 Glycoprotein I Ab, IgA, Beta-2 Glycoprotein I, IgG, Beta-2 Glycoprotein I, IgM, Bicarbonate (HCO3), Serum, Blood Type, C-Reactive Protein (CRP), C-Reactive Protein, Cardiac, Clauss fibrinogen level, Copper, Serum or Plasma, D-Dimer, D-Dimer, Quantitative, Delta Aminolevulinic Acid, Urine, 24 Hour, Erythropoietin (EPO), Serum, F2-Isoprostane, Factor IX Activity, Factor V Leiden Mutation, Factor VII Activity, Factor VIII Activity, Factor X Activity, Factor XI Activity, Ferritin, Ferritin (female range), Fibrinogen Activity, Fibrinogen Antigen, Glucose 6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD), Quantitative, Glutathione; Erythrocytes, Haptoglobin, Hemoglobin A, Hemoglobin F, Immatue Reticulocyte Fraction, Immature Platelet Fraction, Immature Retic Fraction, Iron, IRON (Serum), Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH or LD), Large Unstained Cells (LUC), Large Unstained Cells (Percent), Macrocytosis, Magnesium, RBC, Nucleated RBC (NRBC) (%), Nucleated red blood cell (NRBC), OxPL-apoB1, Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) Activity, Platelet Ab, Indirect (IgA), Platelet Ab, Indirect (IgG), Platelet Ab, Indirect (IgM), Plateletcrit (PCT), Polychromasia, Porphobilinogen Deaminase, Whole Blood, Porphyrins, Total Serum, PTT-LA Ratio, PTT-LA Screen, Retic Hgb Equivalent, Reticulocyte Count, Reticulocyte hemoglobin, Reticulocyte, Absolute, Sickle Cell Screen, Stomatocytes, Thrombin Antithrombin Complex, Thrombocytes, Total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), Transferrin, Transferrin Receptor, Transferrin saturation (Iron Saturation), UIBC
