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Is It Harmful To Consume Vitamin C While Suffering From G6PD Deficiency?

Posted on Thu, 21 May 2015

Question: my sister has advanced ovarian cancer that has gone to her intestines and now liver. She is turning yellow and I want to help. The oncologist has given up on her and has taken her off TPN. Here intestines don't work because of the harsh chemo, so she has a G- Tube at the end of her stomach and is being fed through IV. Can I give her Vitimin C through Iv. A Doctor mentioned that I needed to get an G6pd test to see if she has the enzyem to obsorb the vitimin c. If not the vitimin C can become toxic. Is this true, do I need to get the test done before I can give her Vitimin c Iv. I was thinking that vitimin c would give her strength. That's why I recommended my sis to take vitimin C. I'm I on the right track
I was thinking vitamin C to give here some energy. What else can I give here to help here become stronger. Do you recommend a live flush, or any Iv to help here become stronger. Help

Answered by Dr. Indu Kumar (36 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Patient can given vitamin C in low dose.

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Sorry to know about your sister's illness.
Patient can given vitamin C in low dose.Vitamin C can cause hemolysis in G 6-PD deficient patients only in high dose.Vitamin C less than 6 grams per day doesn't cause any side effects.

I can understand your concern.Advance cancer causes hypermetabolic state and generally in terminal state all efforts goes in vain.It is due to catabolic effects of tumour.
Besides vitamin C,she can be fed with glucose.

Wish for speedy recovery.
Hope I have answered your question.
Further queries are most welcome.

Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar