Haematology

This is the removal of blood for the treatment of selected conditions such as hereditary haemochromatosis (a condition in which the body stores too much iron) and erythrocytosis, e.g. polycythaemia vera or chronic hypoxia. The procedure is the same as for blood donors and is generally well tolerated. Every pint (450ml) of blood removed contains about a quarter of a gram of iron.

In the case of adults, once-weekly therapeutic venesection is recommended initially. More frequent venesections may be appropriate for those with more severe iron overload. For individuals who cannot tolerate therapeutic venesection, other options may include a more limited therapeutic venesection schedule or volume, erythrocytapheresis or iron chelation.