The best outcomes are achieved by aggressive treatment. Timid treatment does not work - these phlebotomies must be at least weekly. Some locations might prefer hemoglobin which should be set for 10 or above. It is important to establish an anemia and not let up on it until de-ironing has been completed. The might take from 6 months to three years depending on the iron burden.
Age is never a reason to disqualify someone from treatment.
This process can arrest or reverse most symptoms and return the patient to a normal life span. Some patients might experience a complete reversal of all symptoms. To exclude anyone from treatment for any reason is a death sentence. For those people who cannot be bled because of extreme anemia, there is chelation. This approach lacks the complete effacacy of bloodletting and should be employed where absolutely necessary.