Take the Tummy Trouble Quiz Digestive Disease Myths Slideshow Pictures Heartburn? Foods to Eat, Foods to Avoid Slideshow

Medical Author:

Siamak T. Nabili, MD, MPH

Siamak T. Nabili, MD, MPH

Dr. Nabili received his undergraduate degree from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), majoring in chemistry and biochemistry. He then completed his graduate degree at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). His graduate training included a specialized fellowship in public health where his research focused on environmental health and health-care delivery and management.

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Hemochromatosis Treatment

Medical Treatment

Treatment of hemochromatosis typically involves removal of excess iron, any supportive measures for the involved organs, and treatment of hemochromatosis-related conditions.

The removal of iron is usually initiated by weekly or twice weekly phlebotomy (removal of blood from the body) of 500cc of blood from a vein. Transferrin saturation and ferritin levels can be monitored routinely, and once the levels become normal, then the phlebotomies can be done less frequently (every few months). The normalization of these levels can sometimes take up to one to two years. Phlebotomy can be done in the physician's office, blood banks, or hospitals.

If hemochromatosis is diagnosed or treated early, most of the complications of the disease may be prevented by doing routine phlebotomy.

• Some of the manifestations of hemochromatosis can be prevented or reversed, such as skin discoloration, heart rhythm problems, diabetes mellitus, or early liver disease.
  
  
• Cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, liver cancer, and advanced heart failure are manifestations of advanced hereditary hemochromatosis which may not be reversed. Arthritis and testicular dysfunction are also usually not reversible.

Routine treatment of diabetes mellitus, heart failure, and liver insufficiency may be done similar to the conventional therapy of these conditions. Loss of libido may be partially corrected with testosterone treatment.

In severe cases of advanced liver failure due to cirrhosis, liver transplantation may be a recommended option.