Methemoglobin reductase

Methemoglobinemia

Methemoglobinemia - a disease involving the presence in the blood of methemoglobin instead of hemoglobin. Methemoglobin, in unlike hemoglobin, does not have the ability to to transport oxygen. Clinical signs include cyanosis, fatigue, accelerated heart rate, dizziness, fainting. Causes methemoglobinemia can be acquired, that is, caused by certain drugs or chemicals, or congenital. Congenital causes of the disease include a deficiency of the enzyme methemoglobin reductase or the the occurrence of hemoglobin with an abnormal structure (so-called hemoglobin M).