Q: I have a condition called G6PD (for short). Can you tell me anything about it? My doctor doesn’t seem to know much about it.

A: G6PD is short for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, a substance that helps keep red blood cells functioning normally. I believe you have G6PD deficiency, which simply means that you have too little G6PD circulating in your blood stream. It is the most common red blood cell disorder in humans, effecting around 600 million worldwide.

The condition is inherited, meaning that it is passed from parents to children. Those most commonly affected are African-American males with African-American females being primarily carriers. Those of Mediterranean descent (Italian, Greek, Arab, Sephardic Jews) are also more likely to be affected than other ethnic groups. African-Americans tend to have more mild cases, while those of Mediterranean descent typically are more severely affected.
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