Therapeutic venesection

Therapeutic venesection is a medical procedure used to reduce the volume of blood or the concentration of certain substances within the blood, such as iron or red blood cells. It is commonly used to manage conditions like haemochromatosis and polycythaemia.

At our clinic, therapeutic venesection is performed in a purpose-built treatment space by our team of experienced haematology nurses and is supervised by specialist haematologists.

#What happens on the day?

One of our experienced haematology nurses will explain the procedure, confirm your details, and answer any questions you may have. The procedure itself involves inserting a small needle into a vein to remove a controlled amount of blood, typically taking 15–30 minutes. Throughout the process, your comfort and wellbeing are our top priority, and you will be closely monitored by our nurses and specialist haematologists.

#How to prepare for a venesection?

To ensure the procedure goes smoothly, we recommend the following preparations:

• Stay well-hydrated by drinking plenty of water before your appointment.
• Eat a light meal beforehand to maintain your blood sugar levels.
• Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing with sleeves that can be easily rolled up.
• Inform our staff of any recent illness, changes to your medications, or if you are feeling unwell on the day.

#What happens to the blood? Can it be used?

The blood collected during therapeutic venesection is safely discarded according to strict medical and regulatory guidelines.

If you meet the criteria to become a volunteer donor with the Australian Red Cross Blood Service, we strongly encourage using their service instead as the blood is then put to good use to benefit others.

If you have haemochromatosis, polycythaemia vera, or porphyria, your doctor will need to refer you to the Red Cross before they will accept you as a donor.

#Referrals

• Your doctor can send us a referral letter through the usual channels
• You can email a photo of your referral to us

We will process the referral and be in touch with you to book your venesection. Alternatively, you can call the rooms directly to book your appointment.

#Why have I been refused a venesection?

Therapeutic venesection may not be appropriate for everyone, and iron studies are easily misinterpreted. If it is not suitable in your specific case, our doctors will discuss alternative treatment options with you to ensure the best possible care.

While ferritin is an excellent guide to iron stores, less than 10% of elevated ferritin results are due to iron overload.

More common explanations include alcohol intake, excess weight, inflammation, and liver disease.

There is an excellent guide for doctors on the appropriate assessment of high ferritin levels.