The AGSD-UK 2015 conference was a great success:

I can't thank you and the AGSD-UK team enough for the superb organisation of the conference this year! The workshops and range of speakers was fantastic. It was so good to meet the key physicians who are helping with the condition. Another incredible outcome of the conference was that our daughter made two friends the same age as her whom we intend to meet with and to keep in contact with. As the condition is rare it is invaluable that she has friends to share her struggles with. It is also great that my husband and I now have friends who are GSD parents too! What a fantastic thing you do - thank you so much, from all of us!
– Victoria

 

Glycogen Storage Disease Type VII

Also known as muscle phosphofructokinase deficiency or Tarui disease.

The clinical features of Type VII are similar to those of Type V with onset of more severe fatigue and muscle pain early in exercise. Symptoms are evident in childhood. Type VII is caused by a deficiency of the phosphofructokinase enzyme which is needed to facilitate the breakdown of glucose into energy in muscle during exercise.

The body breaks down muscle (rhabdomyolysis) when trying to attain energy, which causes symptoms such as muscle pain, cramping, fatigue and tenderness. The red protein myoglobin is released and red-brown urine may be seen.

Diagnosis is by muscle biopsy, which will show a deficiency of muscle phosphofructokinase and a modest accumulation of glycogen. Patients may also display a hemolytic anemia. Treatment primarily consists of avoiding strenuous exercise. Some patients have been helped by a high protein diet. The enzyme deficiency is due to abnormalities in the muscle phosphofructokinase gene and is inherited as an autosomal recessive genetic disorder.

Type VII summary
Symptoms Muscle pain and fatigue on exercise.
Muscle cramps and tenderness.
Secondary symptoms Myoglobinuria
Treatment Avoid anaerobic exercise. Maintain healthy diet,
increased protein may help.
Outlook Good with avoidance of anaerobic
activity.

 

The Coordinator for Type VII is Marilyn Silver, who has the condition herself. (This is a voluntary unpaid role.) You can contact her via the Contact us page.