Hemochromatosis
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Synonyms and keywords: Haemochromatosis
Diagnosis
Treatment
Early diagnosis is important because the late effects of iron accumulation can be wholly prevented by periodic phlebotomies (by venesection) comparable in volume to blood donations.[1] Treatment is initiated when ferritin levels reach 300 micrograms per litre (or 200 in nonpregnant premenopausal women).
Every bag of blood ml) contains 200-250 milligrams of iron. Phlebotomy (or bloodletting) is usually done at a weekly interval until ferritin levels are less than 20 nanograms per millilitre. After that, 1-4 donations per year are usually needed to maintain iron balance.
Other parts of the treatment include:
- Treatment of organ damage (heart failure with diuretics and ACE inhibitor therapy).
- Limiting intake of alcoholic beverages, vitamin C (increases iron absorption in the gut), red meat (high in iron) and potential causes of food poisoning (shellfish, seafood).
- Increasing intake of substances that inhibit iron absorption, such as high-tannin tea, calcium, and foods containing oxalic and phytic acids (these must be consumed at the same time as the iron-containing foods in order to be effective.)
See also
External links
References
de:Hämochromatose it:Emocromatosi he:המוכרומטוזיס nl:Hemochromatose no:Hemokromatose fi:Hemokromatoosi sv:Hemakromotos