How do you treat patients who have both myelodysplasia and hemochromatosis?

See one's hematologi: Treatment of myelodysplasia and hemochromatosis depends on the severity of the individual diseases and which one is causing the biggest problem. A hematologist/oncologist can sort this out.

Very complicated: Depend on severity of the disease. Many times mds can be maintained with growth factor to keep hemoglobin and WBC at certain level, if one also has hemohromatosis-is it homozygous or heterozygous/carrier? Phlebotomy prob not needed for a carrier.Watchout iron intake, iron chelator if can't do phlebotomy. Hypomethylating agent if needed. Treatment is complicated and individualized if you have both.

Chelation Therapy: Myelodysplasia causes lack of normal blood cell production, and many patients need RBC transfusions. This can result in iron overload, since humans lack a way to excrete iron. Hemochromatosis is a genetic condition that alters iron metabolism and makes patients more susceptible to organ injury from iron overload. Desferoxamine is an agent that chelates iron and can be used to reduce its levels.