Pyruvate Test

Pyruvate kinase is an enzyme that is necessary for the body to make the red blood cells perform properly. The pyruvate kinase test measures the levels of the enzyme pyruvate kinase in blood.
When the amount of this enzyme is in little quantity, the RBCs breaks down faster than usual. This causes fewer RBCs available to vital organs, cells and tissues. This results in a health condition called hemolytic anaemia.
The symptoms for Hemolytic anemia are:
Jaundice
Enlargement of the spleen
Anemia
Pale skin
Fatigue
Pyruvate kinase deficiency is a genetic disorder which is autosomal recessive. This means that each parent carries a gene for this disease. However, children have only 1 in a 4 chance of getting this disease having both parents together.
This test is performed to children born to parents with pyruvate deficiency and also on those who are experiencing symptoms of this deficiency. The diagnosis is confirmed by the data collected from a physical examination, the pyruvate kinase test and other blood tests.

• You don't need any specific preparation for this test. But since this test is done on children, parents can have a small chat about how the test is done.
• However, patients who take this test may experience a slight discomfort during the blood draw.
• There may be some pain at the injection site.

• The normal value for this test:
179 plus or minus 16 units of the enzyme pyruvate kinase per 100 ml of RBC.
• The pyruvate kinase deficiency has no particular cure. However, your doctor may recommend various treatments. In many cases, the patients were asked to undergo blood transfusions to replace the damaged RBC's.
• If the symptoms of this disease are too severe, your doctor may recommend the removal of the spleen (known as a splenectomy).
• Even though there is no specific cure to this disorder, the treatment will reduce your symptoms to a major extent and you will notice that your quality of life has been improved.

• This test is performed on a standard blood flow. • The healthcare provider will use a small needle or a blade called Lancet to draw a sample of blood from your arm or hand. • They will collect the blood into a tube and take it to the lab for analysis.