[Treatment of iron overload with combination of recombinant human erythropoietin and phlebotomy].

A patient of Coombs negative autoimmune hemolytic anemia was massively transfused of 162 units concentrated red blood cells in 3 months and developed iron overload disease which was confirmed by liver biopsy. Hemolysis was successfully treated with high-dose methyl-prednisolone therapy and splenectomy. To treat iron overload, we administered recombinant human erythropoietin (Epo) in combination with phlebotomy. Total iron removed for 5 months was about 4 g. Thus, combination of Epo and phlebotomy was effective for the treatment of iron overload disease. Furthermore, we compared a degree of clinical effect of subcutaneous administration of Epo with that of intravenous administration in the clinical course and found the former more effective.