Blood test showdown: MCV vs. ferritin in iron overload treatment

This study looks at whether the MCV test (which measures red blood cell size) is as good as or better than the standard ferritin test for guiding phlebotomy (blood removal) therapy in people with hereditary hemochromatosis, a condition causing too much iron absorption. About 622 participants aged 15 and older will have regular blood draws to lower iron stores, with researchers tracking how well MCV predicts when iron is depleted. The study also checks if keeping iron low can improve liver disease and arthritis, and explores using the donated blood for transfusions in other patients.