Because there may be no symptoms in the early stages of iron overload, and that is when it is most easily and effectively treated, it is important that you get screened. A pathologist can determine the amount of iron in your blood. If necessary, additional diagnostic procedures may include a gene test or a liver biopsy to determine the amount of iron stored in your liver and to assess any damage to your liver. This life-threatening disease can be treated easily and effectively when it is caught early. It is important to remove the extra iron before it causes serious damage to your organs.
Treatment generally consists of regularly removing a limited amount of blood.
Your body will quickly replace the blood that has been removed, drawing iron out of the liver and other organs to replace the lost iron. Once the iron levels are brought down to the normal range, you will only have blood removed a few times per year. I don't have any symptoms of iron overload. People who are treated early can look forward to a completely normal, active life. It takes many years for enough iron to build up to cause symptoms of iron overload.