How Is Hemochromatosis Treated?
Treatments for hemochromatosis include therapeutic
phlebotomy, iron chelation (ke-LAY-shun) therapy, changes in diet, and other
treatments for complications.
Goals of Treatment
The goals of treating hemochromatosis are to reduce
the amount of iron in your body to normal levels, prevent or delay organ damage
from iron overload, treat complications of the disease, and maintain normal
iron levels over the long term (for life).
Therapeutic Phlebotomy (Periodic Blood
Removal)
This type of treatment is used to remove iron from
your body in a process very much like donating blood. Therapeutic phlebotomy
generally begins soon after diagnosis. Blood removal can be done in blood
donation centers, hospital donation centers, or a doctor's office.
Therapeutic phlebotomy is usually advised for people
with very high serum ferritin levels and people who have signs and symptoms of
hemochromatosis. In the first stage of treatment, about 1 pint of blood is
removed once or twice a week. After iron levels return to normal, you may
continue phlebotomy treatments but may need them much less often, typically
every 3 months. As long as treatment continues, which is often for the rest of
your life, the doctor will order lab tests often to check iron levels.
Iron Chelation Therapy
Iron chelation therapy uses medicine to remove
excess iron from your body. It is a good option for people who cannot undergo
repeated blood removal.
Injected iron chelation therapy can be done in the
doctor's office. Oral iron chelation therapy can be taken at home. The
medicines used for chelation therapy include:
- Deferoxamine mesylate (Desferal®). This
medicine is injected either in a muscle, under the skin, or through a
vein.
- Exjade® (Deferasirox). This is an oral
medicine that binds with the extra iron and then leaves the body in the
feces.
- Experimental medicines. Deferiprone
(Ferriprox®) is an oral medicine that binds with the extra iron and then
leaves the body in the urine or feces.
Changes in Diet
Your doctor may advise you to change your diet if
you have hemochromatosis. You may be advised to:
- Avoid taking iron (including iron pills,
injections of iron, or multivitamins that contain iron).
- Limit your intake of vitamin C. Vitamin C
increases the amount of iron the body absorbs. You should take no more than 500
mg per day from nonfood sources such as pills.
- Avoid uncooked fish and shellfish. Some fish and
shellfish contain bacteria that could cause infection in people with
hemochromatosis.
- Limit alcohol intake. Drinking alcohol increases
the risk for liver disease and can make liver disease worse.
Treatment for Complications
Your doctor may provide other treatment as needed
for complications such as liver disease, heart problems, or diabetes. |