During the treatment the serum ferretin levels are monitored, the results of this test gives a measure of the remaining iron stores. Once the initial treatment is completed and the iron levels are back to normal then they are monitored every 3 months. As they start to rise again blood is removed accordingly. Treatment for haemochromatosis is ongoing for life and may require blood to be removed once or twice yearly depending on how quickly the iron is reaccumulating. This is called maintenance therapy.
Treatment allows iron tissue to be mobilised and iron stores to return to normal.
However, it will not cure any clinical condition such as diabetes already present at the time treatment is started. This emphasises the importance of early diagnosis as early diagnosis and treatment prevents the development of all complications such as diabetes, heart disease, liver cirrhosis and ultimately liver cancer. The common view is that a low iron diet is of little benefit in and is not advised. No iron fortified processed foods such as iron supplemented cereals and bread. Inherited disorders are caused by defective genes in the cells which make up the body.