Therapeutic Phlebotomy A Patient's Guide

Therapeutic phlebotomy is the controlled removal of blood (approximately one pint) and can only be done when prescribed by a doctor. The primary purpose of therapeutic phlebotomy is to reduce iron stores and red cell mass. Therapeutic phlebotomy may be indicated for conditions such as hereditary hemochromatosis, polycythemia, porphyria cutanea tarda, iron overload due to hepatitis C virus or other conditions as indicated by your physician.

Providers will need to complete the Physician Request for Therapeutic Phlebotomy form and submit to jill.ball@kybloodcenter.org or fax to 859-519-3784. We are not able to accept incomplete forms. Please allow 2-3 business days for processing.

The patient will need to then contact KBC to schedule an appointment and let us know which KBC donor center they will visit. 

Please note, KBC only performs therapeutic phlebotomy at its eight donor centers. Appointment times are available on weekdays the donor center is open starting one hour after opening and ending one hour before the center closes. Please clearly communicate this to your patients. 

Therapeutic phlebotomy is not performed on mobile blood drives or on bloodmobiles.

Kentucky Blood Center provides therapeutic phlebotomy services at no charge to you. Your physician will provide KBC with an order for therapeutic phlebotomy that is specific to your diagnosis. Orders for therapeutic phlebotomy must also be reviewed by KBC’s medical director. 

A therapeutic phlebotomy order is typically valid for one year from the date it was signed by the patient’s physician; however, there may be cases when a physician indicates therapeutic phlebotomy for a shorter period of time or a specific number of units.

If your physician gives the completed paperwork to you, please mail or fax the paperwork to Kentucky Blood Center. Paperwork must be received and processed before you can visit a donor center to give blood. Our staff will not be able to perform therapeutic phlebotomy on patients who arrive at the donor center with their physician-signed form. 

Please note, KBC only performs therapeutic phlebotomy at its eight donor centers. Appointment times are available on weekdays the donor center is open starting one hour after opening and ending one hour before the center closes. 

Therapeutic phlebotomy is not performed on mobile blood drives or on bloodmobiles. If calling to schedule an appointment, please indicate that you are a therapeutic patient.