CaRi-heart technology
Revolutionary new technology to assess the risk of a serious heart condition or heart attack – many years before anything happens.
Venesection therapy
A treatment for haemochromatosis and other conditions associated with too much iron or too many red blood cells
What is haemochromatosis?
Haemochromatosis is an inherited condition in which the iron levels in your body build up over time.
It can cause fatigue, and may even damage your joints, liver, pancreas or heart.
A venesection can help lower iron levels, or treat polycythaemia vera (too many red blood cells).
Need to know
During a venesection, your nurse will remove a quantity of blood which will lower your iron levels and red cell count. It's similar to the procedure for donating blood and will be carried out as an outpatient appointment.
First, your nurse will check your blood pressure and clean an area on your arm, before inserting a needle into a vein. They'll remove approximately half a litre of blood. It's not uncommon to feel lightheaded or faint, which is nothing to worry about.
The procedure should take around 30 minutes, and your entire appointment will usually take around an hour.
Before you have a venesection, your consultant or specialist nurse will explain the procedure to you. They'll probably recommend eating as normal beforehand, as this will help minimise any feeling of dizziness or lightheadedness during or after the venesection.
It's also important to drink between 2-3 litres of water at least 24 hours before.
You'll be offered something to drink after your venesection, and your blood pressure will be checked again. If you feel lightheaded you can lie down to recover. It's sensible to avoid driving immediately after a venesection, and we would advise you to rest for the remainder of the day.
Follow up venesections will be needed until your iron (ferritin) or red cell count is within normal range. Initially, you may need to repeat the procedure once every two weeks.
Over time, this could reduce to every 6 to 12 weeks. Regular bloods test (full blood count and iron/ferritin) will be done as per your consultant's recommendation to monitor your levels.
Our Venesection therapy consultants
Professor Stuart Bloom
Gastroenterology
Dr Voi Shim Wong
Gastroenterology
Dr Ameet Dhar
Gastroenterology
Dr Vikram Sharma
Gastroenterology
Our Venesection therapy locations
41 Welbeck Street
41 Welbeck Street W1G 8EA London
The Harley Street Clinic
35 Weymouth Street W1G 8BJ London
The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road, SW1W 8RH London
The Shard Outpatients
The Shard, 32 St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Wellington Hospital
8A Wellington Place NW8 9LE London
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David's gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.