What is an iron infusion?

An iron infusion is a way to receive iron through a small catheter in your vein.

If you don’t have enough iron, your body can’t make hemoglobin. This protein helps blood carry oxygen throughout your body. With this issue, you may develop anemia. This is known as iron-deficiency anemia, the most common type of anemia.

Factors that can lower your body’s supply of iron include:

• Blood loss from ulcers, some cancers and other conditions or during monthly periods.
• A diet that doesn’t have enough iron in it.
• Medications that interfere with your body’s ability to absorb iron.
• An increase in your body’s need for iron (for instance, during pregnancy).

Why is an iron infusion done?

People usually receive IV iron infusions because they can’t take oral (by mouth) iron. These include people who:

• Have bleeding in their gastrointestinal tract (gut) and need to replace iron quickly. (Your body absorbs IV iron more rapidly than iron you swallow.)
• Have inflammatory bowel diseases (diseases of the intestines that cause pain, diarrhea and weight loss), and can’t take oral iron because it upsets their gastrointestinal tract.
• Are on dialysis and often lose blood during dialysis. In addition, these people are usually taking an erythropoitin stimulating agent (ESA) and may need extra iron.
• Have iron-deficiency anemia and are having high blood loss surgery (> 500 milliliters) within the next two months and need to replace iron quickly.
• Have celiac disease(gluten intolerance).
• Have cancer and anemia and are taking an ESA.
• Have tried oral iron, but it didn’t work well for them.
• Have a vascular condition that makes them lose a lot of blood.
• Need to increase their iron level quickly because of pregnancy or severe anemia.

What iron level requires an iron infusion?

It depends on the reason you’re taking it. Different conditions require different iron levels.

How many iron infusions do you need?

You may only need one dose of some iron infusions. With others, you’ll need one or two doses over the course of several weeks until your iron level is where it should be. It can take two months to fix your iron level and correct anemia.

What happens before an iron infusion?

A healthcare provider will ask you some questions & details and provide you the consent form before treatment.

Be sure to tell your provider about:

• Your medical conditions.
• Allergies you have.
• Medications you take.
• Supplements you take without a prescription.

How long does an iron infusion take?

An IV iron infusion can take 60 to 90 minutes. You can get a typical dose of 1,000 milligrams of iron in that time.

How quickly does an iron infusion work?

It depends on your situation. It may take several days to a week ti acheive the desired haemoglobin level.

What are the advantages of an iron infusion?

An iron infusion quickly brings your iron level up. Today’s iron infusions work better than the ones in the past. Multiple studies have found that an iron infusion is more effective and more tolerable than the oral (by mouth) kind. They also rarely cause a major reaction.

What are the side effects of an iron infusion?

Iron infusion side effects are usually minimal, but may include:

• Bloating or  swelling of your face, arms, hands, lower legs or feet.
• Dizziness, faintness or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position.
• Gastrointestinal pains, including nausea cramps or diarrhea.
• Problems with breathing.
• Constipation(difficulty pooping).
• Headache.
• Joint or muscle pain.
• Skin problems, including rash.
• Chest pain
• Low blood pressure
• Anaphylaxis (a severe reaction that can include difficulty breathing, itching or a rash over your entire body).It is rare but may possible.

How long does it take to recover from an iron infusion?

People usually feel better a few days to a week after an iron infusion.