Donating blood to treat haemochromatosis

Health Report - Separate stories podcast

Blood letting might be an ancient practice, but in some cases it's still the ideal treatment.

One instance is in haemochromatosis, an inherited condition where the body absorbs too much iron.

Many patients still undertake blood letting at pathology centres where it can't be put to good use.

But they could be donating their blood — providing an iron-rich solution to low donation rates.

Guests

• David, haemochromatisis patient
• Peter Bentley, Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Western Australia Medical School

References

• I've been told by my doctor that my iron stores (or my ferritin levels) are high. Am I eligible to donate?
• Research study update: Beyond the iron gate, Australian Red Cross Lifeblood
• Achieving optimal self-management in hereditary haemochromatosis: Results from a community questionnaire