HealthInfo West Coast-Te Tai Poutini
If you have haemochromatosis it means your body absorbs too much iron. If your iron level becomes too high it could damage your joints and your major organs, such as your liver, heart, and pancreas.
This is a genetic disorder, meaning it runs in families. Many people carry the haemochromatosis gene, but don't have any significant effects from it.
One of the treatments for haemochromatosis is to remove some blood. This is called venesection and is usually done at Buller, Reefton and Grey Base hospitals.
HealthInfo recommends the following pages
Information about the causes, symptoms and treatment of haemochromatosis.
Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand is the provider of support, information and awareness of haemochromatosis in New Zealand
Comprehensive information about haemochromatosis.
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Endorsed by clinical director, Haematology, Canterbury DHB. Last reviewed July 2016.
Review key: HIHCT-16180