A Phlebotomist Extracts Blood from the Human Body! A Phlebotomist Extracts Blood from the Human Body! A Phlebotomist Extracts Blood from the Human Body! Nefino Joannides 31.01.2015 The Morgan McKinley FS Finance teams held their 2nd Annual Pub Quiz on Thursday, 29th January 2015 at Balls Brothers in the City. With over 90 finance professionals turning up for the quiz, the atmosphere was truly electric and the drinks were certainly flowing along with some tasty nibbles. With 72 points, the winners were again and for the second year running "E=Mc HammerTime” for Commerzbank. They were serious contenders and failed to disappoint. Well done to you again and hope you all enjoyed your bottles of Champagne and have added your trophy to your ever expanding trophy cabinet. In second place, were the sportingly named “We bet on Bradford and Boro“ who also mentioned funny enough that the sports round was by far their best performance. They went home with lovely boxes of chocolates and sore heads I’m sure as they were the last team to leave the pub.

In last place and with mere 12 points were the “East end wildcats” who went home with the wooden spoon (literally taken from the kitchen of the pub). Phlebotomy Jobs - How To Get The Job Phlebotomy Jobs 0 Phlebotomy jobs are highly specialized jobs and anyone who wishes to pursue a job in this medical profession has to meet several requirements. The job mainly involves the collection of blood samples , but what makes it hard is the actual procedure of making an incision in a human body part, find the vein and extract blood from the vein. Phlebotomy is in high demand and the need for phlebotomy jobs is growing exponentially every day. You are fully aware of the importance of blood testing in the treatment of many ailments. This is, in most cases, the basis of making a diagnosis on a person’s condition. Thus, the blood sample is very important and it follows that phlebotomist jobs are highly in demand in the medical field. Every hospital, health care facilities and clinics will require Phlebotomists. And like nurses, open phlebotomy jobs are everywhere looking for qualified people to fill these positions.

Know The Requirements for Phlebotomy Jobs The duties of a Phlebotomist center on the taking of blood from patients. They should be able to perform the task without harming or inflicting pain. He or she should also ensure that he takes the blood correctly and in time. After taking the blood, he is responsible for transporting the blood specimen to the laboratory in some cases as well. For the entry requirements, you will be very happy to know that there is no requirement on a particular course. You only have to have undertaken GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) in order to have an advantage. What is required is an extensive phlebotomy training that will provide you with the theoretical and practical knowledge of what is involved in the procedure. You should be adept in the methods of blood collection including labeling of sample tubes. You should have an anatomical and physiological knowledge in the right venipuncture sites. Finally, you should be equipped on the importance of hygiene, sanitation, and safety aspects of the process. After the training, you will be awarded a certificate of competence . You will have to take the phlebotomy exam to have the certificate that will support your qualifications for the task.

Different Phlebotomist Jobs There are a number of available phlebotomy jobs which range from the trainee positions to the qualified Phlebotomists. You will be able to find several jobs advertised in the different job search websites. Or you can walk-in or contact the human resource department of different hospitals in your area. Some of the phlebotomy jobs that you can find in your internet search are Phlebotomists, laboratory technicians, courier Phlebotomist also known as a traveling Phlebotomist, venipuncture technician and there are more. In searching for the job to apply for, you should also check on the phlebotomy salary range which per industry standard is $29,000 per year. The phlebotomy salary rate is still dependent on different considerations such as location and your level of training. If you are interested in phlebotomy technician jobs, it is also important that you research on the job descriptions of the position. Assess if you can do the difficult and sensitive job because this entails lots of dedication, training and courage to prick and take blood sample. Are you not afraid seeing blood? If you do then you better forget about venipuncture.

In other words it is important to know yourself before applying for any position. Additional Information On Phlebotomy Jobs: PHLEBOTOMIST RESPONSIBILITIES | Phlebotomy Training Phlebotomist plays a very important role in a hospital. That’s why in some states, they are required to be certified to do the job efficiently and professionally. What are the different phlebotomist responsibilities? A certified phlebotomist is responsible in collecting and extracting blood from patients. You must be knowledgeable about the structure of human body, standard operating procedure and rules. The following are the lists of responsibilities: You should ensure the cleanliness of the materials to be used. Make sure that all of these are sterile and free of any foreign bodies You should organize and prepare all the necessary supplies before you perform the procedure You should be mentally, emotionally and physically prepared before the process to ensure the efficiency and safety of the procedure and to avoid any accidents as well You should extract the blood sample in a timely manner. You should know the important policy for laboratory samples. You should always put the date, time and name of the patient to label the sample.

You should keep a record of all the information You should and must follow all safety standard procedure all the time You should be organized to avoid confusion You should keep your post clean and make sure that it has enough supplies. One of the phlebotomist responsibilities is to do multi tasking like doing such things as collecting data, assist technologist, organizing and charging. In addition to the phlebotomist responsibilities is to act as a quality assurance analyst to ensure the quality and safety of the specimens to avoid the impurity during the testing process. The phlebotomist responsibilities are not simple. Sponsored Links What are the Risks involved in Phlebotomist job? The phlebotomists have an extreme risk in exposing themselves to contaminants and diseases that are carried by blood. They have to be cautious in performing their duties for their safety, as well as the safety of the patients. Another one of the phlebotomy responsibilities is to transport blood samples from a certain place to the laboratory. There are also cases that a phlebotomist needs to administer blood specimen for additional analysis by assisting healthcare professionals. It is very critical and you need to pay attention to every detail.

But the good thing about it is that the phlebotomist has the luxury of working on a regular office working hours. Unlike other health care professionals which are working on a shifting schedule. Sponsored Links Work Profile for Phlebotomist Career Work » Health Work » Phlebotomist Work The phlebotomist work is something related to medical professional work. The main work is to extract blood from the person and send that sample for further tests and diagnosis. The professionals associated with phlebotomist work normally in places like hospitals, testing agencies, nursing homes, blood bank organizations and many places where blood extracting process takes place for further medical diagnosis. Here we are providing essential features of phlebotomist work: Duties of phlebotomy work The phlebotomy work mainly focuses on definite set of duties to be performed by the professional. Here are some basic duties mentioned below: The major duty included in phlebotomist work is to extract blood from the donor or patient by using definite techniques. They also use specific medical equipment and tools for drawing blood from the person. The medical tools like needles, collecting flasks, disposable waste container and many essential containers are kept ready while taking out blood from the human body.

The phlebotomist draws blood mainly from the vein blood vessel of human body. After drawing definite amount of blood, the phlebotomist make sure that extracted blood is well labeled by him. The phlebotomist work is also responsible to refrigerate the collected samples for further testing procedures. At some places, they are also responsible to do transportation of extracted blood to the testing center. However, some phlebotomist also performs some additional duties in terms of performing further diagnosing tests on those collected blood samples. In the end, they are responsible to present final interpreted result regarding blood samples of the patient. Most importantly, they must follow strict guidelines and procedures to avoid any kind of infection. Like every time, they should use only sterilized needles while drawing blood from the patient's body. Educational qualification required for phlebotomy work For getting into phlebotomy work which is a medical field profession, you must acquire an associate degree in the same working field. Most importantly, hiring organizations also look for your certification degree in phlebotomy work. It is expected that during your training or certification program, you must honed your subjective knowledge and practical practices as well.

Besides, your training under the supervision of some already engaged professional or say diagnostic professional can add on so much value to your credentials. Relevant skills required for phlebotomy work There are some specific set of skills required for executing a justifiable role in phlebotomy work. Following are some skills mentioned below: Proficiency in communication skills: The phlebotomy work can make you deal with wide range of people. So, you must possess profound communication skills to explain people and make them calm during activities like blood donation. At the same time, your good writing communication skills can also help you to maintain the test results and report files of the patient. Good interpersonal skills: The phlebotomist work also requires your good interpersonal skills for establishing a healthy interaction with people. At times, it can be possible that patient can be nervous or uncontrolled during blood draw procedure; as a result your calm nature and good interpersonal skills can greatly contribute to this profession. Proficiency in conducting medical practices: For acquiring excellence in your phlebotomist job, you must have thorough knowledge regarding conduction of medical diagnosis procedures. At the same time, safety precautions should be also cleared while performing blood drawing procedures.

Good in computer skills: If you have your proficiency in computer skills then it can greatly help you to maintain essential data such as total blood sample collection and likewise. It results into well-organized maintenance of your reports. Work environment The phlebotomist work is mostly performed in places like hospitals, testing agencies, blood donation centers and private doctor's clinic. Therefore, the work environment demands definite accuracy and dedication from your side. You are required to be stable and healthy in both ways physically and mentally. However, the phlebotomist work is also performed by traveling varied destinations and collect blood samples as per the requirement. Overall, such work can be quite hectic and tiring. Consequently, we can state that phlebotomist work is mainly performed by health care professionals through systematic procedures. For experiencing a successful career in this line, you must develop definite set of skills and require profound knowledge in diagnosing process. Phlebotomy Training Schools & Career Information Tweet Phlebotomy Training Schools Drawing blood safely and painlessly is a critical procedure in health care, and it's a job that requires a skilled hand.

If you think this might be the career for you, or if you already work in health care and would like to expand your skill set, then consider how phlebotomy training can help you get started. Think about your warm and friendly way with people. It's the first clue that you may be right for this vocation. Through phlebotomy training, you'll have the chance to expand on that gift. Interacting with patients is a big part of the job—and often one of the most fulfilling. While teaching you the fundamentals of the field, many phlebotomy schools will also provide you with broader education in related subjects like anatomy. With a deeper understanding of how the human body works, you can increase your options for further healthcare training in the future. Depending on the program you choose, phlebotomy training doesn't usually take very long to complete. A certificate or diploma can be earned from some schools in under a year. You also may have the option to combine your phlebotomy education with medical assisting or EKG technician training. Additionally, many of the programs at phlebotomy schools can help you get phlebotomy certification.

This can give you a competitive edge when seeking employment with organizations like blood-donor clinics and hospitals. Phlebotomists do important work that, among other things, helps to ensure that medical patients get properly diagnosed and treated. Plus, for many people, this field is a great entry point into the healthcare field. If you want to learn what phlebotomy involves, how much a technician makes, the benefits of the job, and much more, take a look at the in-depth article below. Can you already visualize having a real impact in this career? Maybe you're asking, "Is there phlebotomy training near me?" Check out the following programs or quickly find a nearby school by putting your zip code into the search tool below! Both Phlebotomy Career Information Sometimes blood tests are necessary to provide valuable information to your health care providers about how your body is working. That's why skilled professionals exist to do the job of collecting such samples. They specialize in drawing blood from patients while making them feel as comfortable as possible with the process. And they do it day after day, providing an essential healthcare service that contributes to the ability of doctors to diagnose and treat their patients. Doctors require good information in order to properly care for their patients.

That's why laboratory testing of biological samples is so important. Without timely results from lab tests, many medical patients would go undiagnosed or untreated. But, in order to get those results, blood must often be drawn. At its most basic level, phlebotomy (also known as venipuncture) is the process of puncturing a vein in order to extract blood or introduce an intravenous fluid. It might seem simple, but the process is serious and invasive. Strict procedures must be followed in order to ensure the safety of patients and the quality of collected specimens. Job Responsibilities Duties vary a little depending on where they work, but responsibilities can include: Assembling necessary equipment such as needles, vials, and tourniquets Explaining procedures to patients Helping patients to feel comfortable with the procedures Drawing patient blood samples using the correct tubes in the correct order Correctly labeling each blood sample Transporting blood samples to a medical laboratory for testing Collecting and transporting other lab specimens such as urine Entering patient data into a computerized records system Safely disposing of used needles When drawing multiple blood samples from the same patient for different kinds of lab tests, they must take care to avoid cross-contamination between different blood collection tubes.

This is because each tube is color-coded for the type of test to be performed, and each one has different additives that can negatively affect lab testing if they accidentally wind up in the wrong tube. To prevent such accidents, a phlebotomist must use tubes in a very specific order while drawing a patient's blood. Although using a needle in a patient's arm is the most common way of drawing blood samples, other methods (known as "microtechniques")—such as using finger sticks or heel sticks—can also be employed for drawing minute quantities of blood. Heel sticks are primarily used for collecting blood from infants. Besides collecting blood from medical patients, many venipuncturists work for blood donation centers and draw the blood of donors so that it can be used for other people's transfusions or surgeries (after being tested to ensure that it is safe to use). Typical Work Environments Work in this field can occur in a variety of settings, including: Hospitals Doctors' offices Medical laboratories After gaining plenty of experience, some professionals choose to work for employers that provide mobile medical examinations on behalf of insurance companies. It is even possible for someone with a lot of experience to create his or her own company and provide such mobile services on a contract basis.

Salary According to data from 2015, the median yearly wage was approximately $31,630, with the highest ten percent earning over $45,190.* How to Become a Phlebotomy Technician Compared to other healthcare occupations, the amount of training that's required for this profession is relatively minimal. Your best bet is to explore the different training programs offered at schools near you. By seeking out a formal education, you can ensure that your knowledge and skills are up-to-par with industry standards, which can help you stand out to potential employers. Some formal programs are accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) or the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Certification Requirements California is the only state with legally mandated phlebotomy certification requirements. In all other states, professional certification is purely voluntary. You should know, however, that certification is not the same thing as licensure. A few states do require that phlebotomists register or obtain licensure through their state's department of health. Professional certification can be valuable in helping you land a job or in helping you gain the respect of your healthcare peers.

If you want to know how to become certified in California (or voluntarily in any other state), then you need to know which certifying agencies are most commonly recognized. The state of California lists the following as approved certifying organizations: National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Additional organizations, other than those listed above, also provide certification, but it's best to check with employers in your area to see if they recognize a particular certifying body before committing to anything. Regardless of the certifying organization you choose, you will have to pass a comprehensive exam. Exam content and fees vary from agency to agency. You may also have to prove that you've successfully completed a minimum amount of formal training from an accredited school. The bottom line is this: In California, you definitely need professional certification to work as a phlebotomist. Everywhere else, it is best to check with prospective employers to see if it's necessary or desirable. Benefits of the Job Here are some of the most common benefits of working in this field: Relatively minimal training—Compared to most other occupations in the field of allied healthcare, phlebotomy requires only a small amount of training.

Face-to-face interactions with different people—For anyone who likes people, you could have plenty of rewarding opportunities to meet and help a variety of people. Flexible and varied work schedules—Depending where they work, experienced technicians often have the ability to choose the shifts and schedules that best accommodate their lifestyles. A good starting point—You can gain a strong familiarity with different areas of a hospital as well as with related lines of work, which provides a solid stepping-stone to other healthcare careers. Length of Training Some courses only take a couple of months to complete, while others can take up to eight months. Overall, many programs tend to be at least 16 weeks long, often including up to eight weeks of clinical practice. What Schooling Covers Programs don't all share the same curricula. However, regardless of the specific program you choose, you are likely to encounter subjects such as: Basic anatomy and physiology Proper disposal of needles and other medical waste Quality assurance Advancement Opportunities With experience (and sometimes further formal training), phlebotomists can have the opportunity to move into more advanced positions. Some technicians eventually become supervisors. Others become mobile medical examiners, collecting blood and other lab samples on behalf of insurance companies.

Job Outlook Employment rates for phlebotomists are projected to experience a growth rate of about 25% by 2024.** Most of that growth will likely be due to an aging population and the greater need for laboratory testing that comes with an increase in medical conditions requiring diagnosis. Find a Phlebotomy Program Certified Phlebotomy Training Schools Certified Phlebotomy Training Schools 19 December 2013, 9:05 am Advantages of Joining Phlebotomy Training Schools Phlebotomy is a procedure in which medical assistants extract the fixed amount of blood from the body of the patient. This blood sample furthers goes to the laboratory where experts examine it and after that prepare a report related to it. This report enables the doctors to diagnose the exact disease faced by the people. The medical professional who extracts the blood form the body is known as phlebotomists. Most of the nurses also perform the work of phlebotomists . Those people who want to join the medical field but do not hold sufficient degree or not well qualified, it is best for them to work as phlebotomists in the hospitals. This job is comparatively easy and not requires high qualification.

Those people who want to become a successful medical or phlebotomy assistant, it is necessary for them to join certified training schools in which they got advice and training through expert and senior medical professionals. The time period of training depends upon the types of training in which people enrolled their name. Some training period last within 4 months and some are for long period. During the training period, people are getting trained about how to handle the process of blood extracting in daily basis. The certified trainers are also informed about how to behave with their patients. After completing the training from authorized and certified schools, people are able to get job in reputed hospitals as a phlebotomist. Following are the advantages of taking certified phlebotomy schools training :- – Enhance competitiveness 5 Powerful Phlebotomy Tips for Success Discover the best ways to become a certified phlebotomist 5 Powerful Phlebotomy Tips for Success Phlebotomy is a simple medical procedure of collecting blood specimen from a human body. The procedure refers to incision or puncture in the superficial skin layers and external layer of the underlying veins to collect circulating blood. Significance of Phlebotomy in Medical Science Blood is one of the most significant specimen for it’s diagnostic values.

10 ml blood can help a health professional create a complete health profile of the donor. And the best part is, phlebotomy is a minimally invasive procedure with varieties of applications in medical sciences. While proceeding with phlebotomy procedure, the phlebotomist should follow the standard guideline and operate the process without any significant complain from the donor’s end. Here, are some effective phlebotomy tips that should assist the new phlebotomists to learn about an ideal protocol of this medical procedure. 1. locating the suitable vein requires comprehensive knowledge on human anatomy Three veins in the cubital fossa are considered as most preferable phlebotomy sites. These veins are Median cubital vein, Basilic vein and cephalic vein. The veins are located in front of the elbow joint, just under the superficial layers of skin. Anyone can easily locate these veins and due to the thinness of the superficial skin here it’s very easy to insert a needle and suck blood. You can only master phlebotomy when you have learned the basic anatomy and physiology of the human body. 2. Collecting the specimen: the phlebotomy operation tips Collecting blood is a fast and simple procedure for the patients.

You have to make sure that you are following the right track. You must go slow and steady. You have to measure the blood pressure, assess and inspect the physiological condition of the donor at a glance. You should be in a relaxed mood during this procedure. You must remember one thing, if you fail to collect the specimen at your first attempt, you cannot puncture on the same site. And puncturing twice may get the patient panicked. 3. Taking proper safety precautions during and after phlebotomy Once you invade the intact skin with needles, the internal tissues are exposed to nature. This raises the vulnerability of your patient. You must take proper care of hygiene, sterilization and disinfection. You should disinfect the skin prior to this procedure. You should be using disposable sterile syringe to suck the blood. The amount of blood shouldn’t exceed the recommended level. At the same time, you should collect the amount of blood the pathologists and laboratory technicians will need to prepare the requested profile. Once you are done with the procedure, stickup a band-aid to cover the skin and prevent invasion of any microorganism thereafter. 4.

Counseling patients and their family members Before you practice any medical procedure, you should inform, explain and take consent from the patient. You must be careful about proper counseling to the patient. You can suggest him about the best way to relax the muscles and reduce anxieties. At the same time, you also need to convince the family members accompanying the patient. Counseling is an art you can master through practical experiences for some time. 5. Warning about the potential side effects and dietary suggestions The patient should be notified about the side effects that might occur. As a phlebotomist, it’s your duty to explain things like fatigue, weakness and hypersensitivity reaction to the patient after collecting the specimen. You should also tell the patient about drinking more water for a week and take foods rich in protein and iron. Phlebotomy is a routine procedure and doesn’t initiate medical emergencies at all. However, things can definitely go wrong if you fail to take proper care of the entire operation. The 5 powerful phlebotomy tips for success you’ve learned here will definitely help you avoid the accidents and unwanted occurrences. Having the proper phlebotomy training under your belt is also a huge plus and can greatly skyrocket your career.

Therapeutic Phlebotomy for Iron Overload Treatment | Hemochromatosis Help Therapeutic Phlebotomy is the cornerstone treatment for Hemochromatosis Life Saving Treatment Therapeutic phlebotomy is the cornerstone, front line, most important element of hemochromatosis treatment. In hemochromatosis, therapeutic phlebotomy is a procedure that removes blood from a person’s body with the specific goal of reducing iron overload. Therapeutic phlebotomy involves the same procedure as blood donation; the primary difference is the frequency of how often we give blood. Phlebotomy (aka venesection) may be recommended quite frequently for a person who has just been diagnosed with iron overload, especially if their ferritin levels are greatly elevated. A physician’s prescription is necessary when the recommendation for phlebotomy is more frequent compared to the typical time frame allowed between a typical blood donation at a community blood services center (which is allowed to be completed only once every 56 days). Therapeutic phlebotomy is continued until the patient’s ferritin level reaches a goal level set by their physician.

Most experts state that each phlebotomy reduces the ferritin level by 30 to 50 points. While this may be an accurate average, I have had a number of patients report even greater reduction in their ferritin per each phlebotomy. When a person’s ultimate goal level of ferritin is accomplished, there is much to celebrate! However, in looking forward to the future, a person will want to prevent their iron levels from becoming elevated again. Maintaining a healthy iron and ferritin level becomes the next therapeutic goal. Once this phase has been reached, many times individuals with hemochromatosis maintain their ferritin levels by simply donating blood the old fashioned way- at their local blood donation center or at a blood drive. Of course, you should always be sure to talk with your physician about making your best therapeutic decision regarding phlebotomy. Is Blood Donated by Those with Hemochromatosis Viable? Having recognized the safety of our blood, the FDA has always allowed individuals with hemochromatosis to donate. Hemochromatosis is a metabolic disorder, not a blood disorder.

Hemochromatosis is not a transmissible condition, and therefore other individuals who might receive this blood are at no risk of developing iron overload. All the FDA requires is that a blood service center applies for and is granted a variance for the collection of blood and blood products from patients with hemochromatosis. Quite a number of blood service centers across the United States carry this variance: Find a center in your state here: List of Establishments Granted Approval for Collection of Blood and Blood Products from Patients with Hemochromatosis — Variance to 21CFR640.3(d) and 21CFR640.3(f)< If you have hemochromatosis and you can donate at a community blood center, donating blood may not only save your life, it might save someone else’s life, too! Virtually anywhere, anytime the world needs more blood donation. It is a true win-win scenario! However, often times when an individual is prescribed therapeutic phlebotomy and it is performed in a hospital or medical office setting, the blood is discarded. This scenario is still helpful for the health of a person with hemochromatosis, however the blood is not used to help another individual.

Additionally, a number of blood centers have elected NOT to accept blood from people with hemochromatosis. They have not applied for the variance from the FDA, and they will reject a person with hemochromatosis from donating. I have listed several resources below, so be sure to call ahead to your local or regional center. What is a Phlebotomy Procedure and How Does it Work? The process of phlebotomy simply involves inserting a needle into a vein for the purpose of collecting blood. Most likely, one of the large veins that pass close to the skin near your elbow crease will be selected. A large area is cleaned with an antiseptic (very commonly iodine or chlorhexidine). It is very clean and very safe and every step is taken to ensure your comfort throughout the process. The needle used to extract the blood is typically larger than a needle for drawing blood for lab testing purposes. The larger needle is necessary to protect the red blood cells from becoming damaged. In relationship to the treatment of hemochromatosis, therapeutic phlebotomy involves a technician removing approximately 450 to 500 milliliters, or 1 pint, of blood.

Depending upon your height and weight, your circulatory system holds about 10 to 12 pints of blood at any given time. Removing 1 pint of that makes a difference that you will feel! As a result, your system begins to compensate and quickly works to make new blood. This process actually has a number of benefits to your health beyond reducing excess iron. Hemoglobin in your blood carries iron, so when you lose blood via phlebotomy, you’re essentially also losing iron. By reducing excess iron and lowering the ferritin level, phlebotomy can reduce symptoms, halt or hopefully reverse the progress of iron overload disease, and save our lives. A single blood donation removes in the neighborhood of 200 to 250 milligrams of iron. Considering the typical daily loss of iron through our metabolism is only about 1 to 2 milligrams, a single blood donation can be a powerful tool to reduce iron overload. As an important reminder, the human body has no major mechanism for excreting iron once we have ingested it. This biological reality therefore makes therapeutic blood donation all the more critical for hemochromatosis treatment. Who Can Perform a Therapeutic Phlebotomy?

A trained phlebotomist performs the procedure to remove the blood. Most typically, a phlebotomist will perform this therapy in a medical office, hospital, or even a community blood service center. How Long Does it Take? When there are no complications, a therapeutic phlebotomy usually takes 10 to 15 minutes to complete. It can be quick and easy for many individuals. On the other hand, I have had people tell me their phlebotomist will have difficulty finding a proper vein, which may add to the time involved (not to mention the potential discomfort level). One person told me the office she goes to needs to use an ultrasound machine to find a vein and the process takes an hour. Her situation is a “worst case scenario”, and is atypical. Where to Get One? Here are my suggestions for how to receive therapeutic phlebotomy: Ask your physician (if you haven’t already)- Many times a doctor will have already made a prescription for phlebotomy and instructed the patient how to proceed.

Search the following list for centers that have applied for a variance for the collection of blood from individuals with hemochromatosis: Your Ability to Donate Blood Even though phlebotomy is safe and effective, some individuals just have a difficult time. Perhaps they have low blood volume and are subject to fainting… perhaps their veins collapse… perhaps they have had so many therapeutic phlebotomies that their veins have developed scar tissue. Some folks just plain old do not like it. I have heard all these stories and more from individuals suffering from hemochromatosis. It can be hard– believe me, I know! Concerns and Phlebotomy Side Effects For individuals with the greatest amount of iron, you may be donating blood weekly until your numbers improve. Phlebotomy can be hard on the body. It can be very difficult, especially when you do it with high frequency. Yet it may save your life. Besides iron chelating medicines (which have their own pros and cons), phlebotomy is really the only conventional way to get that iron out of your body. Of course, we know that supplemental Turmeric can also help to naturally remove iron from the body!

But I digress… During the procedure or right after it, low blood pressure, which may lead to feeling light headed, weak, or even fainting can occur. Bruising can occur. Some symptoms can persist beyond the treatment. A goal of therapeutic blood donation once was actually to induce a mild anemia in the attempt to clear stored iron from the tissues and organs. Quite a number of individuals have reported to me that they begin to feel anemic if they donate too frequently. I would actually say that this is the most common concern that people with hemochromatosis tell me. This practice of maintaining an anemic state is no longer advocated. Anemia refers to how much blood you have– it is not specifically about how much iron you have. It is quite possible to have too much iron and simultaneously be anemic. If too many phlebotomies are performed too quickly, it is quite possible to become too anemic during this process. Trust me, as someone who has been anemic due to phlebotomy, I know how weak, dizzy, and poor you can feel! Please, if you have any concerns related to your response to blood donation, contact your doctor! Ask questions and raise your concerns.

This is your health care we are talking about! As important as it is to get the excess iron out, you should not have to feel terrible during the process! It is often a difficult balance to achieve, yet it is very important to try and find that right frequency and amount. Bottom Line Benefits of Therapeutic Phlebotomy Phlebotomy helps you lower ferritin and may reduce the symptoms of too much iron. On top of that, your donation may save another’s life if it is drawn by a center that can use the blood for others. Bottom line, there’s no better single way to help in the treatment of hemochromatosis than therapeutic phlebotomy. The blood service center I go to has a good sense of humor 🙂 I know I feel better. Often times, much better. I have personally noticed that I will audibly exhale a sigh of relief about 2 minutes into blood donation. My muscles and joints hurt less, I sleep better and am less tired, and my thoughts are more clear. Many people have echoed these improvements to me, and the positive impact that it has upon our lab test numbers is without doubt.

Therapeutic phlebotomy absolutely saves lives, and I consider it an essential part of hemochromatosis treatment. Even better is when we combine therapeutic phlebotomy with other helpful approaches: Twitter Important Disclaimer PLEASE NOTE: The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other health care professional or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. You should not use the information on this site for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem or for prescription of any medication or treatment. You should consult with a health care professional before starting any diet, exercise, or supplementation program, before taking any medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem. You should not stop taking any medication without first consulting your physician. Quick Links Phlebotomy Phlebotomy for Too Much Iron Treatment Overview Phlebotomy is a procedure that removes blood from the body. Regular phlebotomy treats people who have too much iron in their blood, such as with hemochromatosis , or who are producing too many red blood cells , such as with polycythemia .

Removing blood regularly decreases iron levels in the body by reducing the number of iron-rich red blood cells . Health professionals perform phlebotomy in a medical clinic. The process is similar to donating blood. A health professional inserts a needle into a vein in your arm and removes about 500 mL (17 fl oz) of blood. The procedure takes about 30 minutes. You do not need to fast or make special preparations before phlebotomy. But try to eat a good meal and drink plenty of fluids before phlebotomy. This will prevent dizziness or fainting . Health professionals will have you sit or lie down. During the procedure, they monitor your blood pressure and pulse . What To Expect After Treatment Some people feel tired or dizzy after phlebotomy. You might get relief from these symptoms by resting for the next 24 hours and drinking plenty of fluids. You may want to have a family member or friend take you home after the procedure. Why It Is Done Excess iron is often stored in the organs, especially the liver . Eventually, the excess iron can cause serious organ and tissue damage. Phlebotomy lowers iron levels by removing iron-rich blood cells from the body.

How Well It Works Removal of excess iron can significantly reduce the possibility of severe and even life-threatening damage to the liver and other organs. 1 Risks Phlebotomy is safe when done by a health professional. You may get a small bruise at the puncture site. You can reduce the risk of bruising by keeping pressure on the puncture site for several minutes after the needle is withdrawn. In rare cases, the vein may become inflamed after the blood sample is taken. This condition is called phlebitis and is usually treated with a warm compress applied several times a day. There is also a small risk of infection at the puncture site. What To Think About Depending on the cause of iron excess, you may not need phlebotomy as often after iron levels are at a safe level.

Question: A phlebotomist extracts what from the human body?
Answer: Blood