When to worry about jaundice with G6PD deficiency

G6PD helps red blood cells handle oxidative stress. During a trigger, those cells may break down faster than the body can replace them, releasing bilirubin and causing yellowing of the eyes or skin. Jaundice is a common presentation of G6PD Deficiency, yet the change may also have another cause and should not be self-diagnosed.

A sudden episode may include tea-coloured urine, unusual tiredness, pale skin, dizziness, a fast heartbeat, headache, back or abdominal discomfort, or shortness of breath. Fever or a recent infection can itself trigger red-cell breakdown, so tell the clinician about both the illness and the jaundice.

Call your clinician or urgent-care service as soon as you notice new yellowing. Provide the timing, recent infections, foods, household chemicals, and full medicine list. Tell every healthcare professional that you have G6PD deficiency before a new medicine is prescribed.

Do not deliberately re-challenge yourself with a suspected trigger, and do not stop a prescribed treatment without advice. Carry your condition information if available. Rest, drink fluids if you can, and record changes in urine colour, energy, breathing, and temperature while arranging assessment.

Use emergency care for jaundice with trouble breathing, chest discomfort, fainting, confusion, extreme weakness, inability to stay awake, a racing heartbeat, or very dark urine with little urine output. These signs can accompany substantial red-cell breakdown or another serious illness.

Seek urgent help as well for high fever with shaking chills, persistent vomiting, severe pain, or rapidly deepening yellowing. Bring or photograph the packaging of any recent medicine or product, but do not delay care while trying to identify the trigger.

Ask whether you need a blood count, bilirubin measurement, tests for red-cell breakdown, or treatment for an infection. Ask which medicines and products are unsuitable for you, how to respond to a future trigger, and whether your household should know your emergency plan.