Hereditary hemochromotosis?

Question

What does a colonoscopy have to do with being diagnosed with hereditary hemochromotosis... and is there an alternative treatment to draining the excess iron out of the circulatory system besides bloodletting?

Answer 1

I can't think of any connection between a colonoscopy and hemochromotosis unless it is being done as part of a differential to rule out other possible conditions.
Usually, this condition is diagnosed with lab tests such as a serum transferrin saturation and a serum ferritin, along with a liver biopsy.
And to answer your second question: no, besides draining the excess iron from the blood through bloodletting, there isn't another effective treatment option for this condition.

Answer 2

Question #1: Colonscopy may be performed to rule out other conditions and, because hemochromatosis is a condition in which excessive iron is absorbed by the intestines, to check the condition of the bowel.


Question #2: Phlebotomy is the only means. Bloodletting is from the dark ages. We don't call it that.