Heinz bodies indicate which deficiency or condition?

Heinz bodies indicate which deficiency or condition?

• A. Iron deficiency
• B. G6PD
• C. B12 deficiency
• D. Folic acid deficiency

Answer: (B)

Heinz bodies are deposits of denatured hemoglobin inside red blood cells that appear when the cell is exposed to oxidative stress. In G6PD deficiency, the ability to generate NADPH is impaired, which leads to exhausted antioxidant defenses (reduced glutathione) and makes hemoglobin more susceptible to oxidative damage. When oxidative stress occurs, hemoglobin denatures and forms Heinz bodies; these can be seen on special supravital stains and are often accompanied by bite cells from the spleen removing the Heinz bodies. The other deficiencies listed—iron, B12, or folate—cause anemia through different mechanisms and do not typically produce Heinz bodies.

Heinz bodies are deposits of denatured hemoglobin inside red blood cells that appear when the cell is exposed to oxidative stress. In G6PD deficiency, the ability to generate NADPH is impaired, which leads to exhausted antioxidant defenses (reduced glutathione) and makes hemoglobin more susceptible to oxidative damage. When oxidative stress occurs, hemoglobin denatures and forms Heinz bodies; these can be seen on special supravital stains and are often accompanied by bite cells from the spleen removing the Heinz bodies. The other deficiencies listed—iron, B12, or folate—cause anemia through different mechanisms and do not typically produce Heinz bodies.