Bloodletting (phlebotomy) is an ancient therapeutic method used for a variety of ailments. While it's no longer commonly used in modern medicine, there is one condition where it remains highly relevant: hemochromatosis, a disorder of iron metabolism. Erythrocytapheresis is a modern, effective, and gentle alternative to traditional bloodletting for treating hemochromatosis patients.
Hemochromatosis is a hereditary disorder of iron metabolism. If left untreated, it can lead to liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, severe heart failure, and ultimately death. The condition results in excessive iron absorption in the upper small intestine, which is then deposited in organs where it causes long-term cellular damage. Men are affected 10 times more often than women, typically between the ages of 20 and 40. It is currently considered the most common genetic disorder.
Initial key symptoms may include:
Erythrocytapheresis allows for the targeted removal of erythrocytes (red blood cells), unlike traditional bloodletting which removes all blood components. This makes the procedure significantly more effective and long-lasting, requiring fewer treatments overall.
Removing erythrocytes reduces the blood's hemoglobin content, improves flow properties, and removes excess iron from the body—helping reduce harmful deposits in patients with hemochromatosis.
At Schleicher & Brückl, we treat hemochromatosis using erythrocytapheresis in combination with erythropoietin. Patients receive erythropoietin injections to stimulate red blood cell production, drawing iron out of storage in the liver and organs. Apheresis is then used to remove a concentrated portion of these cells.
After approximately 3–15 sessions, most patients reach normal iron levels and are symptom-free. Based on current experience, this treatment only needs to be repeated every 2–3 years, typically when symptoms and lab values begin to rise again.
August 17, 2022