Lifelong treatment of HH is needed to keep iron at low levels. Without regular treatment, iron stores will re-accumulate. The primary care physician may manage patient care during long-term maintenance.
Long-term maintenance typically consists of removal of an average of 2 to 6 units of whole blood yearly, although this number is variable. Monitoring of hemoglobin and serum ferritin levels determine the frequency of phlebotomy. Serum ferritin levels should be maintained at concentrations of no more than 50 ng/mL. (10,13))
