What if both parents have hemochromatosis?
If both parents are carriers of the faulty genes, there is a 1/4 chance both of the faulty genes will be inherited. Secondary Hemochromatosis can cause a patient to suffer from anemias such as Thalassemia and Aplastic anemia, or chronic liver disease.
Can I pass hemochromatosis to my kids?
Haemochromatosis is caused by a faulty gene that can be passed on to a child by their parents.
What is the best way to treat hereditary hemochromatosis?
Doctors can treat hereditary hemochromatosis safely and effectively by removing blood from your body (phlebotomy) on a regular basis, just as if you were donating blood. The goal of phlebotomy is to reduce your iron levels to normal.
Can a child be tested for hereditary hemochromatosis?
If a mutation is found in only one parent, then children do not need to be tested. Doctors can treat hereditary hemochromatosis safely and effectively by removing blood from your body (phlebotomy) on a regular basis, just as if you were donating blood.
Can you have a phlebotomy if you have hemochromatosis?
Doctors will continue to order regular blood tests to check iron and ferritin levels. People who receive blood transfusions to treat certain types of anemia and develop secondary hemochromatosis cannot have phlebotomy to lower their iron levels.
Can a blood transfusion cause secondary hemochromatosis?
Talk with your doctor about testing you and your family members. Secondary hemochromatosis due to blood transfusion cannot be prevented easily. However, doctors can check iron levels and start treatment with chelating agents early, before iron overload causes damage to the liver, joints, and other organs.
What kind of treatment is needed for hemochromatosis?
Therapeutic phlebotomy: This procedure uses a needle and tube to remove blood, and the iron it contains, from your body. Treatment needs to be repeated frequently, so you’ll have regular blood tests to measure iron levels. If another condition caused hemochromatosis, you may need treatment for that, too.
If a mutation is found in only one parent, then children do not need to be tested. Doctors can treat hereditary hemochromatosis safely and effectively by removing blood from your body (phlebotomy) on a regular basis, just as if you were donating blood.
Doctors will continue to order regular blood tests to check iron and ferritin levels. People who receive blood transfusions to treat certain types of anemia and develop secondary hemochromatosis cannot have phlebotomy to lower their iron levels.
Is it safe to get blood drawn for hemochromatosis?
Hemochromatosis is not considered a blood disorder. Instead, it’s a metabolic disorder. Unfortunately, many hospitals and clinics across the country discard the blood drawn for therapeutic purposes. It can still help to save your life and keep you healthy by getting it drawn.