There's no cure for haemochromatosis. But treatment can reduce the amount of iron in your body.
Treatment can ease the symptoms and reduce the risk of damage to organs such as your heart, liver and pancreas.
Venesection (phlebotomy)
The main treatment for managing haemochromatosis is venesection (phlebotomy). This is a procedure to remove some of your blood. It is like giving blood.
When you remove blood:
- you remove red blood cells that contain iron
- your body uses up iron to replace the red blood cells
There are 2 main stages to treatment:
- induction - blood is removed every week until your iron levels are normal
- maintenance - blood is removed about 2 to 4 times a year for the rest of your life
You may feel dizzy or faint after venesection but this usually passes quickly. You usually start to feel better a few months after starting treatment.
Where you can get venesection
Your GP may:
- provide venesection
- refer you to a hospital for venesection
Many people with haemochromatosis can donate blood. If you meet donor criteria, you can help save lives by donating blood.
Haemochromatosis donor criteria - giveblood.ie
Diet and alcohol
If you have haemochromatosis, keep a healthy and balanced diet.
Don't
-
do not eat breakfast cereals that have extra iron added (fortified)
-
do not take iron and vitamin C supplements
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do not eat raw oysters and clams - these may contain bacteria that can cause serious infections if you have high iron levels
-
do not drink too much alcohol - this can increase iron in your body and put strain on your liver
