Di Bisceglie AM, et al. Iron Reduction as an Adjuvant to Interferon Therapy in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis C Who Have Previously Not Responded to Interferon:
A Multicenter, Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Trial.  Hepatology 2000 Jul;32(1):135-138

Hepatic iron concentration has consistently been observed as being directly correlated with the response to interferon therapy in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV).  We therefore conducted a randomized, controlled trial comparing iron reduction by phlebotomy with iron reduction followed by retreatment with interferon in 96 patients with chronic hepatitis C who had previously not responded to a course of interferon.  During the initial phase when all patients were undergoing phlebotomy, we found that serum alanine transaminase (ALT) activities decreased but by less than 50% from baseline in 67 patients (89%), decreased by more than 50% in 12 patients (13%) and became normal in 9 patients (9%) with no overall change in HCV-RNA levels.

Subsequently no patient in either treatment group achieved a sustained virologic response.  Improvements in necroinflammatory changes were noted in liver biopsy specimens in those patients receiving phlebotomy plus interferon (mean index 8.59 vs. 7.37, P <.05).  A slight but not statistically significant decrease in histologic activity index was noted in those subjects treated by phlebotomy alone (mean index 8.4 vs. 7.75, P not significant). We conclude that, although prior phlebotomy therapy does not improve the rate of sustained response to interferon retreatment, it does result in less liver injury manifested by a decrease in serum transaminase activity and a slight improvement in liver histopathology.

Comment: Phlebotomy generally involves drawing one pint of blood at a time to reduce red blood cells and blood iron.This study showed that this procedure decreased damage to liver cells.

I have been telling people and doctors this for years! It makes a big difference in 25% of men and post menopausal women. It makes a difference even if there is not a obvious iron over load.

Doctors will not perform this procedure. The reason is because most physician's malpractice insurance does not cover Phlebotomy. Chelation doctors malpractice insurance does and so they are the people to see for this much needed therapy.

In good health
Lloyd