What is Therapeutic Phlebotomy Treatment? Therapeutic phlebotomy is a type of treatment for people who have too much iron in their body. You may not think that too much iron is a bad thing, but excessive amounts can be harmful. Various conditions can cause an excess of iron, and they need to be kept under control. Who needs a therapeutic phlebotomy? Therapeutic phlebotomy may be indicated for hemochromatosis, polycythemia vera, porphyria cutanea tarda, and polycythemia secondary to aterio-venous fistulae, cyanotic congenital heart disease or cor pulmonale. Therapeutic phlebotomy is used to remove excess iron and maintain low normal body iron stores in patients with hemochromatosis. What are the reasons for Therapeutic Phlebotomy? Therapeutic phlebotomy can be a life-saving treatment for patients with too much iron in their blood. This is a condition called hemochromatosis. Your body needs a certain amount of iron. It's used to make hemoglobin, which oxygenates your cells. But, lik...