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Suggest Treatment For Hemochromatosis
Question: How much iron does a body need?
I have hemochromatosis and trying to eliminate iron from my diet.
I have hemochromatosis and trying to eliminate iron from my diet.
Brief Answer:
Dietary elimitaion has to be combined with removal of iron from body.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query on HealthcareMagic.
Hemochromatosis is a genetic disorder caused by mutation in gene called HFE gene.
Mutation in HFE gene causes excessive accumulation of iron in body.
Elimination of iron from diet is one mode f treatment, however, other modes to remove excessive iron from body has to be clubbed with it.
Removal of excessive iron from body is done by phlebotomy or blood letting periodically and chelation therapy.
Chelation therapy is widely used wherein an iron chelator is injected into the blood stream and this chelator combines with iron and removes it through excretion.
You need to consult a hematologist for treatment of hemochromatosis.
Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri
Dietary elimitaion has to be combined with removal of iron from body.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query on HealthcareMagic.
Hemochromatosis is a genetic disorder caused by mutation in gene called HFE gene.
Mutation in HFE gene causes excessive accumulation of iron in body.
Elimination of iron from diet is one mode f treatment, however, other modes to remove excessive iron from body has to be clubbed with it.
Removal of excessive iron from body is done by phlebotomy or blood letting periodically and chelation therapy.
Chelation therapy is widely used wherein an iron chelator is injected into the blood stream and this chelator combines with iron and removes it through excretion.
You need to consult a hematologist for treatment of hemochromatosis.
Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
I am already balancing the intake of iron with the chelation therapy. I gained the extra iron from transfusions. Foods are marked with % of daily need of iron I just wanted to know a number to base my intake on...I am avoiding most foods that show a percentage if iron. And how much is likely to be in a unit of blood that is transfused. Tthank you for helping me help myself.
Brief Answer:
One unit adds 250 mg of iron,chelation theraapy is monitored with ferritin
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome again,
The chelation therapy is monitored with ferritin levels.
The ferritin level should be maintained below 50 microgram/L.
You should get blood levels of ferritin, hemoglobin and hematocrit before and after a transfusion.
The target of the treatment is to maintain ferritin below 50 micrograms/L.
Each unit of blood transfused adds iron by 250 mg.
In healthy individuals 1-2 mg of iron is absorbed daily but in hemochromatosis there is increased tendency of gastrointestinal tract to absorb iron.
Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri
One unit adds 250 mg of iron,chelation theraapy is monitored with ferritin
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome again,
The chelation therapy is monitored with ferritin levels.
The ferritin level should be maintained below 50 microgram/L.
You should get blood levels of ferritin, hemoglobin and hematocrit before and after a transfusion.
The target of the treatment is to maintain ferritin below 50 micrograms/L.
Each unit of blood transfused adds iron by 250 mg.
In healthy individuals 1-2 mg of iron is absorbed daily but in hemochromatosis there is increased tendency of gastrointestinal tract to absorb iron.
Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri
Note: Do you have more questions on diagnosis or treatment of blood disorders? Ask An Expert/ Specialist Now
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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