Phlebotomy
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Phlebotomy
Phlebotomy is a procedure that removes blood from the body. Regular phlebotomy treatment is used to treat conditions such as hemochromatosis, in which a person has too much iron in his or her blood, or polycythemia, in which a person is producing too many red blood cells.
Removing blood regularly decreases iron levels in the body by reducing the number of iron-rich red blood cells. Phlebotomy is safe when done by a health professional in appropriate situations. The process is similar to donating blood. A health professional inserts a needle into an arm vein and removes about
Removal of excess iron can significantly reduce the possibility of severe and even life-threatening damage to the liver and other organs.
Credits
| Author | Jeannette Curtis |
| Author | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman, MATC |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Last Updated | May 25, 2007 |
| Last updated: | May 25, 2007 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Reviewed By: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC |
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