Plasmapheresis and apheresis in Turkey: what this category covers
Plasmapheresis and apheresis in Turkey describe a family of treatments that filter or separate the blood outside the body and return the cleaned blood to the patient. They are offered by hospitals in our network under Regenerative Medicine treatments in Turkey. The category lists six names, but they are related methods rather than six unrelated operations.
Apheresis is the general term: a machine draws blood, separates one component and returns the rest. Therapeutic apheresis means that this is done to treat a disease, as opposed to collecting donor blood. Plasmapheresis and plasma exchange remove the liquid part of the blood (plasma) and replace it with a substitute fluid such as albumin. DFPP (double filtration plasmapheresis) passes the plasma through a second filter that traps larger molecules and returns the rest, so less replacement fluid is needed. Selective apheresis uses a filter or column aimed at particular substances, and LDL apheresis is a selective method that removes LDL cholesterol from the blood.
Plasmapheresis & Blood Therapies in Turkey
Who each option is for and how to choose
These are treatments for diagnosed medical conditions, so the diagnosis comes first. Plasma exchange is used in some neurological and autoimmune disorders where harmful antibodies circulate in the plasma. LDL apheresis is designed for people with very high cholesterol, such as familial hypercholesterolaemia, whose levels remain high despite medication. DFPP and other selective methods are chosen when a doctor wants to remove a specific group of substances while keeping most plasma proteins.
Your specialist should be able to tell you which method fits your condition, what it is expected to achieve and for how long. Be careful with offers that present plasma treatments as general rejuvenation or detox for healthy people: they are different from the indications above and are not backed by the same medical evidence. If you are unsure, ask the hospital which diagnosis the treatment is meant to address.
Bring your latest blood tests, specialist letters and a list of medicines. Some conditions are treated alongside medication, and the hospital will want to know what you already take.
What the trip and recovery look like
A session usually takes a few hours and is carried out lying or sitting down, with access through a vein in each arm or through a catheter. Most people go home the same day. Many treatments are given as a course of several sessions over days or weeks, rather than once, and the number of sessions depends on the condition and on how you respond.
That means a medical trip can range from a few days to a few weeks, and the plan should say so in advance. Common side effects include tiredness, light-headedness and tingling lips, which may reflect changes in calcium levels. Less common risks involve low blood pressure, allergic reactions to replacement fluids and problems at the needle site. Ask for the session records and lab results at the end so your doctor at home can continue care.
What affects the price
The price depends first on the method. DFPP and selective apheresis require special filters or columns, and plasma exchange may involve albumin or donor plasma, which adds to the cost. The number of sessions matters more than any single price: a course can be several times the cost of one session.
Other factors include the hospital stay or day-care fees, tests before and during the course, medication and the access catheter if one is needed. Ask for the price of the full course in writing, and whether extra sessions would be charged if your doctor recommends them. A reliable figure comes from a plan based on your own records.
How to check a hospital and doctor
Apheresis needs specialised equipment and trained nurses, and the team has to deal with reactions when they occur. Before you commit, ask the hospital for the following in writing:
- the name of the doctor in charge and their specialty, such as haematology, nephrology or neurology;
- the diagnosis the treatment is meant for and the expected number of sessions;
- which machine and method will be used, and what replacement fluid;
- how reactions are handled and whether intensive care is available if needed;
- what the quote includes, and what follow-up your home doctor will receive.
Hospitals on our site are licensed by the Turkish Ministry of Health and authorised to treat international patients.
How an enquiry with us works
Requesting a free quote costs nothing and commits you to nothing. Send your diagnosis, recent blood tests and any specialist letters. A doctor at a suitable hospital reviews them and replies with a written plan that names the doctor, the proposed method, the number of sessions, the expected stay and the full price.
You compare the plan with your own doctor’s advice and decide in your own time. Our service is free for patients and you pay the hospital directly. A coordinator can help with appointments, transfers and questions before and after treatment. For other options in this field, see regenerative medicine, or go straight to the free quote form.
Hospitals with Regenerative Medicine in Turkey
Other Regenerative Medicine categories
Frequently asked questions
In practice the terms often overlap. Both remove the liquid part of the blood (plasma) and replace it with another fluid such as albumin. Plasma exchange usually describes a full replacement, while plasmapheresis can also refer to removing a smaller volume.
DFPP (double filtration plasmapheresis) separates the plasma and then passes it through a second filter that traps larger molecules. The cleaned plasma returns to you, so less replacement fluid is needed than with standard plasma exchange.
LDL apheresis removes LDL cholesterol from the blood. It is meant for people with severe inherited high cholesterol, such as familial hypercholesterolaemia, whose levels stay high despite medication. A specialist decides whether you meet the criteria.
It depends on the condition and on your response. Many treatments are given as a course of several sessions over days or weeks. The written plan should state the expected number of sessions and the cost of the full course.
It is generally comfortable, with needles placed in a vein. Tiredness, light-headedness and tingling lips are common. Less common risks include low blood pressure and allergic reactions, which the team monitors. Your doctor will explain risks specific to you.
These treatments are designed for diagnosed medical conditions. Claims that plasma exchange rejuvenates healthy people are not supported by the same medical evidence. Ask any hospital which diagnosis the treatment is intended to address.
Send your diagnosis, recent blood tests, specialist letters and a list of medicines. The more complete the records, the more precise the written plan. The free quote form accepts documents and photos.