How to Get Rid of Iron in Your Blood: A Medical and Dietary Guide

December 17, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the CDC, hereditary hemochromatosis is one of the most common genetic diseases in the U.S., causing the body to absorb too much iron from the diet. This guide explains how to get rid of iron in your blood through medical interventions, dietary adjustments, and lifestyle changes, all under the supervision of a healthcare professional.

Quick Summary

Excess iron, often caused by hereditary hemochromatosis, can damage organs like the liver and heart. Treatment options, primarily therapeutic phlebotomy and chelation therapy, effectively remove excess iron. Complementary dietary and lifestyle adjustments help manage absorption.

Key Points

Diagnose the cause: Iron overload is diagnosed via blood tests, and the underlying cause (e.g., hemochromatosis) must be determined by a doctor.
Undergo therapeutic phlebotomy: This medical procedure, similar to donating blood, is the most common and effective treatment to lower high iron levels, especially for hemochromatosis.
Use chelation therapy when phlebotomy isn't an option: For patients who can't tolerate blood removal, chelation medications can bind to and remove excess iron from the body.
Adjust your diet: Limit or avoid high-iron foods like red meat and fortified cereals, and pair meals with foods and drinks that inhibit iron absorption, such as tea and dairy.
Limit alcohol and avoid specific supplements: Reduce alcohol intake to protect the liver and avoid unnecessary iron and high-dose vitamin C supplements, which enhance iron absorption.
Monitor regularly with your doctor: Consistent blood testing and medical supervision are crucial to track iron levels and adjust treatment over time, moving from the initial phase to maintenance.

Understanding Iron Overload and Its Risks

Excess iron in the blood, also known as iron overload, occurs when the body absorbs too much iron over time. This condition can be caused by genetic disorders, such as hereditary hemochromatosis, or as a side effect of frequent blood transfusions. The human body does not have an efficient natural mechanism for excreting excess iron, which means it can accumulate in vital organs, leading to serious health complications.

Symptoms can vary widely and may include fatigue, joint pain, abdominal pain, and skin discoloration. If left untreated, chronic iron overload can lead to severe organ damage, affecting the heart, liver, and pancreas, and increasing the risk of conditions like cirrhosis, heart failure, and diabetes.

Medical Treatments for Iron Reduction

When blood tests confirm significantly elevated iron levels (e.g., high serum ferritin), a doctor will recommend a medical treatment plan. The two primary medical treatments are therapeutic phlebotomy and chelation therapy.

Therapeutic Phlebotomy

Therapeutic phlebotomy is the most common and effective treatment for hereditary hemochromatosis. It is essentially a controlled process of removing blood, similar to a regular blood donation.

The Procedure: A healthcare professional inserts a needle into a vein to draw a specific amount of blood, typically about 470 ml (one pint), into a blood bag. This blood removal forces the body to use its excess iron stores to produce new blood cells.
Initial Phase: During the induction phase, phlebotomy may be performed frequently, sometimes weekly, until iron levels return to a normal range. This can take several months or more.
Maintenance Phase: Once target iron levels are reached, maintenance sessions are scheduled less often, perhaps every two to four months, for the rest of a patient's life to prevent iron from building up again.

Iron Chelation Therapy

For patients who cannot undergo regular blood removal, such as those with certain heart conditions, severe anemia, or fragile veins, iron chelation therapy is an alternative.

The Process: This treatment uses medications (chelating agents) that bind to excess iron in the body. The resulting compound is then excreted through urine or stool.
Administration: Chelation drugs can be administered via injection (e.g., deferoxamine) or taken orally in tablet form (e.g., deferasirox, deferiprone).
Side Effects: While effective, chelation therapy can have side effects, including gastrointestinal issues and potential impacts on white blood cell counts, requiring regular monitoring.

The Role of Dietary Changes in Managing Iron

While diet alone is not enough to treat significant iron overload, it is a crucial part of a long-term management strategy and can help during the maintenance phase. The goal is to reduce the absorption of iron from food.

Foods that inhibit iron absorption:

Tea and Coffee: Contain tannins and polyphenols that bind to iron and reduce its absorption, especially when consumed with meals.
Calcium-Rich Foods: Dairy products like milk, yogurt, and cheese can inhibit the absorption of both heme and non-heme iron.
Phytates: Found in whole grains, beans, and seeds, phytates can significantly decrease iron bioavailability.
Oxalates: Present in foods such as spinach, nuts, and cocoa, oxalates also bind to iron, limiting absorption.

Foods and habits to limit or avoid:

Red Meat: This is a major source of heme iron, which is absorbed more easily by the body than the non-heme iron found in plants.
Iron-Fortified Foods: Many cereals, breads, and grains are enriched with iron. Check labels to avoid these.
Alcohol: Excessive alcohol consumption increases iron absorption and places additional stress on the liver, which can already be affected by iron overload.
Vitamin C Supplements: Vitamin C enhances the absorption of non-heme iron. It is best to avoid taking high-dose supplements, especially with meals.
Raw Shellfish: Due to the risk of bacterial infection, which is particularly dangerous for individuals with iron overload, raw shellfish should be avoided.

A Comparison of Therapeutic Phlebotomy and Chelation Therapy


Feature	Therapeutic Phlebotomy	Chelation Therapy
Mechanism	Removes iron by taking blood	Uses medication to bind and excrete iron
Speed	Fast (removes significant iron per session)	Moderate (removes iron over time with daily medication)
Application	Primary treatment for hemochromatosis	For those who cannot undergo phlebotomy (e.g., severe anemia)
Convenience	Less frequent visits required (weekly then quarterly)	Daily pill or regular infusions needed
Side Effects	Potential for temporary anemia, bruising	Gastrointestinal issues, potential infection risk with some medications
Cost	Typically covered by insurance; often similar to blood donation	Varies widely; oral chelators can be very expensive

Combining Treatment and Lifestyle for Optimal Management

Effective management of high iron levels involves a combination of medical treatment, regular monitoring, and lifestyle adjustments. Following your doctor's prescribed treatment is the most important step. Adopting a diet that limits iron absorption, along with avoiding alcohol and unnecessary iron supplements, provides significant support during the maintenance phase. Regular blood tests are critical to track your ferritin and transferrin saturation levels, ensuring the treatment plan remains effective. For long-term health, managing iron overload is a lifelong commitment that can prevent life-threatening complications. A strong partnership with your healthcare provider is essential for navigating this process successfully.

Conclusion

For individuals dealing with iron overload, understanding the most effective treatment options is vital for preventing long-term health complications. Therapeutic phlebotomy and chelation therapy are the primary medical approaches, with phlebotomy being the standard for hereditary hemochromatosis. Complementary dietary and lifestyle changes, including moderating alcohol intake, avoiding fortified foods, and limiting heme iron, are also key to successful management. Always work closely with a healthcare provider to determine the best course of action and ensure your treatment is both safe and effective. Early diagnosis and consistent treatment can successfully reduce excess iron, protect your organs, and improve your overall quality of life.

For more detailed information on hemochromatosis and other blood disorders, consider visiting the Aplastic Anemia and MDS International Foundation website, which provides information on treatment options like chelation therapy.

Frequently Asked Questions

The most effective and common treatment for iron overload is therapeutic phlebotomy. This procedure involves regularly removing a pint of blood to force the body to use its excess iron stores to make new blood cells, thereby lowering iron levels.

No, while dietary changes are an important part of managing iron levels, they are not sufficient to treat significant iron overload on their own. Dietary modifications are most effective as a complementary measure during the maintenance phase of treatment.

You should limit red meat and organ meats, which contain high levels of easily absorbed (heme) iron. Also, avoid iron-fortified cereals and excessive alcohol. Do not consume raw shellfish due to a risk of serious infection.

Chelation therapy uses medication to bind to excess iron in the body, which is then excreted. It is typically used for patients who cannot undergo regular blood removal, such as those with certain types of anemia or heart complications.

Yes, you should avoid iron supplements and high-dose vitamin C supplements. Vitamin C enhances the absorption of iron, so it is best to avoid taking it alongside meals rich in iron.

Initially, you may need phlebotomy weekly or bi-weekly until your iron levels normalize. Once your levels are within a healthy range, maintenance sessions will be less frequent, typically every 2 to 4 months.

Yes, for many patients in the maintenance phase of treatment for hereditary hemochromatosis, regular blood donation is a valid way to manage iron levels, providing a benefit to both the patient and the recipient.