Sideroblastic anaemia associated with iron overload treated by repeated phlebotomy

Iron overload with prominent skin pigmentation and hepatic parenchymal siderosis is reported in a patient with refractory sideroblastic anaemia. Failure to reverse the sideroblastic changes or the anaemia with conventional therapy prompted us to use a graded phlebotomy programme. The rising haemoglobin level in spite of repeated venesections is support for this approach in selected patients with this diagnosis.