The goal of treatment is to remove excess iron from the body and to give supportive treatment to damaged organs.

Iron removal is done by phlebotomy (removal of blood). One-half liter of blood is removed from the body each week for 2 to 3 years until the iron stores are depleted. After that, less frequent phlebotomy is needed to maintain iron levels within normal limits. The frequency of additional phlebotomy is determined individually for each person based on levels of hemoglobin, serum ferritin, and continuing symptoms.

Loss of sexual desire and change in secondary sexual characteristics are improved with testosterone therapy.

Management of diabetes, arthritis, liver failure, and heart failure associated with this condition are the same as conventional treatments for these problems.

People diagnosed with hemochromatosis must follow a special diet to help maintain a lower serum ferritin. The diet prohibits alcohol consumption, especially for patients who have suffered liver damage. People with hemochromatosis must also avoid iron pills or vitamins containing iron, vitamin supplements, iron cookware, raw seafood (cooked is fine), or fortified processed foods such as 100% iron breakfast cereals.

Diet does not prevent, control, or cure hemochromatosis, and phlebotomy is the most efficient method for removing excess iron from the body.

The earlier a diagnosis is made and treatment is implemented, the better. If treatment is started before any organs have been affected, associated diseases such as liver disease, heart disease, arthritis, and diabetes can usually be prevented. The prognosis will be variable for people who already suffer from associated diseases, and it will depend on the degree of the organ damage. Early detection and treatment is key in preventing organ damage and associated diseases. Some of the damage to target organs can be reversed when hemochromatosis is detected early and treated aggressively with phlebotomy.

Organizations such as the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the American Hemochromatosis Society (AHS) are working to promote screening for hemochromatosis to improve early diagnosis and treatment.

• Liver failure
• Liver cancer