What Are the Benefits of Phlebotomy?
Phlebotomy offers various benefits in today’s medicine world. In most cases, the blood is collected for diagnostic purposes, to collect blood or serous fluids for medical purposes, or to donate blood for transfusion to others. In some cases, blood may be therapeutically removed but generally only for rare conditions with certain evidence-based and scientific reasons. Some of these conditions include:
Polycythemia vera
Polycythemia vera is a stem cell bone marrow condition that occurs when red blood cells and certain white blood cells and platelets are excessively produced. This can result in dangerous blood clots. Blood may be collected through phlebotomy to reduce the concentration of red blood cells and prevent clotting [4].
Hemochromatosis
Hemochromatosis is a genetic condition that affects how your body processes iron. It can result in an overaccumulation of iron throughout the body. This condition is now treated with periodic blood draws to keep ferritin [5], the protein that stores iron, at a healthy level.
Porphyria cutanea tarda
Porphyria cutanea tarda can affect how the body utilizes iron [6]. Phlebotomy helps keep iron levels in check.