PYRUVATE (O.S.)

Overview

Pyruvate kinase (PK) deficiency can be difficult to diagnose, as some patients with severe hemolysis may show normal or mildly decreased enzyme activity. Carriers typically have mild reductions in PK activity but remain asymptomatic. Elevated PK levels can occur in newborns or during reticulocytosis, and rare cases may show minimally increased PK levels, requiring comparison with other RBC enzyme activities for accurate interpretation.