HealthInfo West Coast-Te Tai Poutini

Haemochromatosis

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.

New Zealand Blood Service advice for people with haemochromatosis

• Eat less red meat.
• Don't take mega-dose vitamin C or iron supplements (a multivitamin without iron is usually safe).
• Drink tea or coffee with iron-rich meals, as it may decrease the amount of iron you absorb.
• Cut the amount of alcohol you drink.
• Make sure your brothers, sisters and any adolescent children are tested for haemochromatosis.

  HealthInfo recommends the following pages

• Gastroenterological Society of Australia – Haemochromatosis

  Information about the causes, symptoms and treatment of haemochromatosis.

• Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand – Haemochromatosis

  Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand is the provider of support, information and awareness of haemochromatosis in New Zealand

• Patient.info – Haemochromatosis

  Comprehensive information about haemochromatosis.

Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Endorsed by clinical director, Haematology, Canterbury DHB. Last reviewed July 2016.

Page reference: 216066

Review key: HIHCT-16180