Common "Phlebotomy" queries answered by top doctors | iCliniq

Phlebotomy

Phlebotomy is a technique where the needle is placed in the vein of the arm to get a blood sample. It is also called venipuncture and intravenous therapy. The blood sample is taken to diagnose the medical condition that affected the person.

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I want to reduce my ferritin levels. Please help.

Query: Hi doctor, My ferritin level is 1500, and I want to bring it down to 150. How much will one DFO IV session or each Exjade pill reduce the ferritin level on an average? I am a healthy individual, and I do not have HIV, HCC, or any other disease.  Read Full »


Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Your serum ferritin is high, so the cause should be found out first. It can be hemochromatosis, in which excess iron is stored in the bone marrow. Deferoxamine is used for increased iron storage in thalassemia patient. For high ferritin, phlebotomy is also...  Read Full »

How to reduce the levels of iron and ferritin?

Query: Hello doctor, I am a 61 year old male. For many years, I was treated for hemochromatosis. Then, about 12 years ago, I had a genetic test. The results prompted the hematologist to abruptly stop the recurring phlebotomies. I do not recall the test result and apparently, it cannot be located. But, I re...  Read Full »


Dr. Desai Santosh Badaku

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your concern. Your elevated iron saturation and serum ferritin levels suggest the possibility of iron overload or hereditary hemochromatosis (HH). The test you mentioned, followed by the hematologist's decision to halt phlebotomy, could imply the detection o...  Read Full »

What is therapeutic phlebotomy and why is it done?

Query: Hi doctor, I am an obese person and a non-smoker. I am on an exercise program, and my weight reduced from 291 lbs to 273 lbs. I am under therapeutic phlebotomy once in three weeks (before once in two weeks). I found high counts in blood before 14 months during medical fitness blood test abroad and c...  Read Full »


Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Regular follow-up is my opinion for your question. I have seen the attached reports (attachment removed to protect the patient's identity). Your JAK2 (Janus kinase 2) report is negative, and EPO (erythropoietin) is within the limit. So polycythemia vera, like ...  Read Full »

I suffer from polycythemia. Can it be caused due to smoking?

Query: Hi doctor,I am a 37-year-old male. I am suffering from polycythemia for the last two years. My Hb is 19.17 and my HCT is 51.9. The doctors informed me that it is all due to smoking. Is there any serious problem with me? What will you suggest?Thank you.  Read Full »


Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Chronic smoking can lead to heart failure, chronic lung disease, etc., and hence, polycythemia occurs. It is called secondary polycythemia. With the treatment, the prognosis is good in secondary polycythemia. But, polycythemia can occur as primary polycythemia as well,...  Read Full »

Please suggest ways to reduce high iron levels.

Query: Hi doctor,My mother has been transfused with at least 11 to 12 units of blood during a period of two months. This was done on a false diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia. It was a false diagnosis because the transferrin receptor was never used to come to this diagnosis. She has had elevated CRP for ...  Read Full »


Dr. Prakash. H. M.

Answer: Hi,Welcome to icliniq.com.Based on your query, my opinion is as follows,Normally in hemochromatosis (iron deposition disease), serum transferrin, iron, and ferritin levels will be usually high. All the symptoms and signs point towards hemochromatosis, possibly due to iron overloading secondary to mu...  Read Full »

Can a disposable needle be reused?

Query: Hi doctor, I am 31 years old male. I did a sample test a month before. Even though the phlebotomist opened the needle cap in front of me, I am having the fear that the needle used was not sterile. Are the needle caps come in sealed packing are sterilized? Can it be used only once, and after that, t...  Read Full »


Dr. J. N. Naidu

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. It appears that your suspicion has no valid basis. Needles are not to be reused. Needles are for single-use.  Read Full »

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