I have this genetic disorder called G6PD [0]. It's pretty common, with about 5% of human beings having it. Most people who have it go through life without ever finding out they have it, because it has almost no symptoms.

One of the symptoms though is that eating fava beans can kill you. I basically ate a bunch of these beans and soon went into shock. I was rushed to the hospital but the doctors couldn't make an accurate diagnoses. It was kinda like an episode of House, except with just regular doctors. They knew I had acute hemolysis but didn't know what was causing it. Then a nurse suggested that a blood transfusion can fight the hemolysis even without knowing the root cause; that blood transfusion saved my life. It was much later that the doctors found the G6PD; turns out my great-grandmother had it too.

That's another thing: your doctor should be informed of every major medical issue that your genetically-related family members has, since it could potentially help their diagnoses. From genetic conditions, to even common stuff like high blood pressure and diabetes.

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glucose-6-phosphate_dehydrogen...