Variations in serum erythropoietin and transferrin receptor during phlebotomy therapy of hereditary hemochromatosis: a case report.

ABSTRACT

Serum levels of transferrin receptor and erythropoietin were determined in 2 patients with hereditary hemochromatosis undergoing phlebotomy therapy. The objective of the study was to determine changes in serum transferrin receptor and serum erythropoietin occurring during therapy, and to investigate if such changes could be useful to monitor the therapy. The study showed that serum transferrin receptor, and to a lesser extent serum erythropoietin, may be better parameters than serum ferritin as indicators of when phlebotomy should be discontinued. The most sensitive parameter, however, appeared to be the serum transferrin receptor/ferritin ratio.