Treatment and Impact
Individuals are treated by having one pint of blood removed every one to two weeks by phlebotomy; This is to reduce the amount of iron in the body. Serum ferritin and transferrin saturation are checked every two to three months to ensure they are decreasing. Once ferritin levels are below 50 ml and transferrin saturations are below 50%, phlebotomies only have to happen every two to three months. (1) This treatment reduces the amount of iron in the body, and begins to cure the disease. Therapeutic phlebotomy (2) in hemochromatosis has benefits as well, including preventing the development of liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. It improves liver function partially, resolves symptoms of weakness, live and joint pain, and fatigue. It also improves heart function in patients with mild heart disease. (3)
Cure and Research
There is no cure for hereditary hemochromatosis, but there are treatments one could do. The most common treatment is therapeutic phlebotomy, which induces iron depletion and prevents excess iron reaccumulation. The goal of this is to prevent irreversible organ damage. There are other precautions one could do, so that he or she does not need to do therapeutic phlebotomy like adequate dietary protein, vitamin B12, and intake a lot of fotake. Patients should consider the type of foods they eat to try to avoid high-iron content. (4) Alcohol, raw seafood, and high doses of vitamin C should also be avoided in patients with hemochromatosis. (5)
1. Schrier, Stanley L., MD, and Bruce R. Bacon, MD. "Treatment of Hereditary Hemochromatosis." N.p., n.d. Web. 8 May 2013. <http://www.uptodate.com/contents/treatment-of-hereditary-hemochromatosis>.2. "Medscape Log In." Medscape Log In. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 May 2013. <http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/405860_8>.
3. "Patient Information: Hemochromatosis (hereditary Iron Overload) (Beyond the Basics)." Hemochromatosis (hereditary Iron Overload). N.p., n.d. Web. 08 May 2013. <http://www.uptodate.com/contents/hemochromatosis-hereditary-iron-overload-beyond-the-basics>.
4. "Hereditary Hemochromatosis Disease Profile." Hereditary Hemochromatosis Disease Profile. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 May 2013. <http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/posters/chromosome/hh.shtml>.
5. "Hemochromatosis (Iron Overload) Symptoms, Causes, Treatment - How Is Hemochromatosis Treated? on MedicineNet." MedicineNet. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 May 2013. <http://www.medicinenet.com/iron_overload/page4.htm>.
1. Schrier, Stanley L., MD, and Bruce R. Bacon, MD. "Treatment of Hereditary Hemochromatosis." N.p., n.d. Web. 8 May 2013. <http://www.uptodate.com/contents/treatment-of-hereditary-hemochromatosis>.2. "Medscape Log In." Medscape Log In. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 May 2013. <http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/405860_8>.
3. "Patient Information: Hemochromatosis (hereditary Iron Overload) (Beyond the Basics)." Hemochromatosis (hereditary Iron Overload). N.p., n.d. Web. 08 May 2013. <http://www.uptodate.com/contents/hemochromatosis-hereditary-iron-overload-beyond-the-basics>.
4. "Hereditary Hemochromatosis Disease Profile." Hereditary Hemochromatosis Disease Profile. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 May 2013. <http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/posters/chromosome/hh.shtml>.
5. "Hemochromatosis (Iron Overload) Symptoms, Causes, Treatment - How Is Hemochromatosis Treated? on MedicineNet." MedicineNet. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 May 2013. <http://www.medicinenet.com/iron_overload/page4.htm>.