Phlebotomies:
What are Phlebotomies?
A phlebotomy is a procedure in which a physician removes excess amounts of iron from a patient’s body that has a disease known as hemochromatosis. Excess iron is often stored in the organs, especially the liver. Eventually, the excess iron can cause serious organ and tissue damage. Phlebotomy lowers iron levels by removing iron-rich blood cells from the body. This process involves drawing blood, using the same process that is used at a blood bank. A needle is inserted into the patients arm and approximately one pint of blood is removed. This is repeated once or twice a week for several months to a year, depending on the patient’s reaction to the procedures. The goal of the phlebotomies is to remove a certain amount of the iron within the blood in order to leave the patient with an appropriate iron blood level. Once iron levels of the patient return to normal, they may only need to give a pint of blood every two to four months for life.
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| University of Missouri Health Care | This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. |
