Haemochromatosis in end-stage renal disease: when waste is a treatment option

For patients with end-stage renal disease and hereditary haemochromatosis, prevention and treatment of anaemia differ from usual nephrologic guidelines. Monitoring of individual disease progression and ferritin levels is crucial. We describe a case of a young haemodialysis patient with early-stage organ dysfunction caused by hereditary haemochromatosis, in whom iron stores have successfully been depleted with phlebotomy and supplemental erythropoietin over 22 months. Target ferritin levels could finally be reached without severe, persisting or symptomatic anaemia.