Haemochromatosis Treatment

Last Updated: October 31, 2026

Lifestyle Modifications

To support medical treatment by minimizing dietary iron intake and protecting vulnerable organs.

Avoid iron-fortified foods, such as certain breakfast cereals, to prevent additional iron intake.
Refrain from taking iron supplements or vitamin C supplements, as vitamin C enhances iron absorption.
Limit or avoid alcohol consumption, especially if there is liver involvement, to reduce further liver damage.

ConsultDietitianGeneral Practitioner

Medicinal Treatment

To reduce and maintain healthy iron levels in the body, preventing and reversing organ damage caused by iron overload.

Venesection (phlebotomy): The primary treatment involves regularly removing a pint of blood to reduce iron levels. Initially, this may be weekly, then reduced to 2-4 times a year for life.
Chelation therapy: Medications (e.g., deferoxamine, deferasirox, deferiprone) are used to bind excess iron in the body, which is then excreted. This is typically reserved for patients who cannot undergo venesection.
Regular blood tests: Monitoring ferritin levels and transferrin saturation is essential to guide treatment frequency and assess iron levels effectively.

ConsultHematologistGastroenterologistGeneral Practitioner

Surgical Treatment

To address severe organ damage or complications that have developed as a result of advanced and prolonged iron overload.

Liver transplant: For patients who develop severe, end-stage liver disease, such as advanced cirrhosis or liver cancer, as a complication of untreated haemochromatosis.
Joint replacement surgery: May be considered for severe, debilitating arthritis in joints that have been significantly damaged by iron deposition, when conservative treatments are no longer effective.
Cardiac interventions: In cases of severe heart failure caused by iron accumulation in the heart muscle, supportive procedures or devices may be necessary, although iron removal remains the primary treatment.

ConsultTransplant SurgeonOrthopedic SurgeonCardiologist

Surgical Options

Compare procedures, costs, and hospitals.

Therapeutic Phlebotomy

Specialists

DietitianGeneral PractitionerHematologistGastroenterologistTransplant SurgeonOrthopedic SurgeonCardiologist

About This Disease

Learn about the causes, symptoms, and diagnosis of Haemochromatosis Treatment.

Know more about Haemochromatosis Treatment

Lifestyle Modifications

To support medical treatment by minimizing dietary iron intake and protecting vulnerable organs.

Avoid iron-fortified foods, such as certain breakfast cereals, to prevent additional iron intake.

Refrain from taking iron supplements or vitamin C supplements, as vitamin C enhances iron absorption.

Limit or avoid alcohol consumption, especially if there is liver involvement, to reduce further liver damage.

ConsultDietitianGeneral Practitioner

Medicinal Treatment

To reduce and maintain healthy iron levels in the body, preventing and reversing organ damage caused by iron overload.

Venesection (phlebotomy): The primary treatment involves regularly removing a pint of blood to reduce iron levels. Initially, this may be weekly, then reduced to 2-4 times a year for life.

Chelation therapy: Medications (e.g., deferoxamine, deferasirox, deferiprone) are used to bind excess iron in the body, which is then excreted. This is typically reserved for patients who cannot undergo venesection.

Regular blood tests: Monitoring ferritin levels and transferrin saturation is essential to guide treatment frequency and assess iron levels effectively.

ConsultHematologistGastroenterologistGeneral Practitioner

Surgical Treatment

To address severe organ damage or complications that have developed as a result of advanced and prolonged iron overload.

Liver transplant: For patients who develop severe, end-stage liver disease, such as advanced cirrhosis or liver cancer, as a complication of untreated haemochromatosis.

Joint replacement surgery: May be considered for severe, debilitating arthritis in joints that have been significantly damaged by iron deposition, when conservative treatments are no longer effective.

Cardiac interventions: In cases of severe heart failure caused by iron accumulation in the heart muscle, supportive procedures or devices may be necessary, although iron removal remains the primary treatment.

ConsultTransplant SurgeonOrthopedic SurgeonCardiologist

Haemochromatosis Treatment

Lifestyle Modifications

Medicinal Treatment

Surgical Treatment

Contents

Surgical Options

Specialists

About This Disease

Haemochromatosis Treatment

Lifestyle Modifications

Medicinal Treatment

Surgical Treatment

Contents

Surgical Options

Specialists

About This Disease