FAQ in English

• How do I get G6PD Deficiency?

  G6PD Deficiency is an inherited condition; therefore, you can not get it from being in contact with someone who has G6PD Deficiency. Since it is inherited, there is no cure.
  

• What are the chances of passing it on to my kids?

  A) If the father is unaffected (healthy) and the mother is a carrier (no clinical symptoms):

  • One daughter out of two will be a carrier
  • One son out of two will be G6PD deficient

  B) If the father is G6PD deficient and the mother is unaffected:

  • All daughters will be carriers
  • All sons will be unaffected

  C) If the father is G6PD deficient and the mother is a carrier:

  • One daughter out of two will be G6PD deficient
  • One daughter out of two will be a carrier
  • One son out of two will be G6PD deficient
  • One son out of two will be unaffected

  D) If the father is unaffected and the mother is G6PD deficient:

  • All daughters will be carriers
  • All sons will be G6PD deficient

  E) If both father and mother are G6PD deficient:

  • All daughters will be G6PD deficient
  • All sons will be G6PD deficient

   

• What precautions can I take to ensure my health living with G6PD Deficiency?

  Do not take any of the medications listed in this brochure (or medications similar to them) without consulting a physician. Also avoid fava beans (and the plant). Always tell any health provider you see that you have G6PD Deficiency (and give them this list).
  

• Can I donate blood if I have G6PD Deficiency?

  No! Currently the Red Cross does not accept G6PD deficient blood.

• What are the symptoms of hemolytic anemia? Am I having a reaction?

  You will begin to feel tired, short of breath, have an irregular heart beat, and may have a dark orange urine.

• How can I test the level of my enzyme deficiency?

  It is a simple blood test. Inquire with your physician.
  

• I've been eating all kinds of legumes all my life and am feeling fine. Why do you say I should avoid them?

  There are more than 400 mutations of the deficiency, each responding differently to certain foods and drugs. Some are more sensitive, others are less so. Besides fava beans, other elements may be harmful to you. Just be aware of this risk.
  

• What is the difference between sulfa drugs and sulfates? Are both harmful?

  Sulfa drugs and products containing sulfites can cause hemolysis in G6PD deficient people, but sulfates/sulphates should not. Sulfa drugs and sulfites are very different, chemically, from sulfates (which are a chemical salt).

• How would you call fava beans in other languages?

  Arabic: Foolle;
  Catalan: Fava;
  Chinese: Tzan-Doo;
  Dutch: Tuinboon;
  English: Fava or Broad Bean;
  Farsi (Persian): Ba-ghe-Leh;
  French: Fève;
  German: Favabohnen (Fava bean), Dicke Bohnen (thick bean), Saubohnen (sow bean);
  Greek: Koukia (“Fava” is an appetizer made from dried fava beans);
  Hebrew: Polle;
  Hungarian: Lóbab
  Italian: Fava (pl. fave);
  Kurdish: Paqla;
  Malay: Kacang Parang;
  Spanish: Haba;
  Turkish: Bakla (“Fava” is an appetizer made from dried fava beans);
  Urdo (Pakistan and India): Lobhiya, Rajma, Jheam;
  Thai (Thailand): two-ah pak-ah.