Iron chelation therapy
Iron Chelation Therapy
Iron chelation therapy is a medical treatment used to remove excess iron from the body. It is typically used in patients who have conditions that lead to iron overload, such as thalassemia and sickle cell disease. The term "chelation" comes from the Greek word "chele," which means claw, referring to the way the chelating agent grabs onto iron molecules.
Pronunciation
Iron chelation therapy is pronounced as "eye-urn kee-lay-shun ther-uh-pee".
Etymology
The term "chelation" is derived from the Greek word "chele," which means claw. This refers to the way the chelating agent binds to iron molecules, similar to how a claw would grab onto something. "Therapy" is derived from the Greek word "therapeia," which means healing.
Procedure
Iron chelation therapy involves the use of chelating agents, which are substances that can bind to iron and remove it from the body. These agents are typically administered orally or intravenously. The most commonly used chelating agents are deferoxamine, deferiprone, and deferasirox.
Related Terms
- Iron Overload: A condition that occurs when too much iron builds up in the body.
- Chelating Agent: A substance that can bind to iron and remove it from the body.
- Thalassemia: A genetic blood disorder that can lead to iron overload.
- Sickle Cell Disease: A genetic disorder that can also lead to iron overload.
See Also
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