How we manage patients with hereditary haemochromatosis

Eva Rombout-Sestrienkova*, Marian G. J. van Kraaij, Ger H. Koek

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

A number of disorders cause iron overload: some are of genetic origin, such as hereditary haemochromatosis, while others are acquired, for instance due to repeated transfusions. This article reviews the treatment options for hereditary haemochromatosis, with special attention to the use of erythrocytapheresis. In general, therapy is based on the removal of excess body iron, for which ferritin levels are used to monitor the effectiveness of treatment. For many decades phlebotomy has been widely accepted as the standard treatment. Recent publications suggest that erythrocytapheresis, as a more individualized treatment, can provide a good balance between effectiveness, tolerability and costs. Other treatments like oral chelators and proton pomp inhibitors, which are used in selected patients, create the possibility to further individualize treatment of hereditary haemochromatosis. In the future, hepcidin-targeted therapy could provide a more fundamental approach to treatment.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)759-770
JournalBritish Journal of Haematology
Volume175
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2016

Keywords

  • hereditary haemochromatosis
  • treatment
  • phlebotomy
  • erythrocytapheresis

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