Iron infusion refers to a method in which iron is intravenously delivered to your body via a needle. Intravenous (IV), also known as intravenous, is a method to deliver medication or supplementation.
Doctors will often prescribe iron infusions to treat iron deficiency. In pill form, iron deficiency is usually treated by dietary changes and iron supplements. Doctors, in some instances, may recommend iron infusions.
If you are:
- Iron is not something you can take by your mouth
- Iron cannot be absorbed through the stomach.
- Due to blood loss, iron is not absorbed enough.
- You need to quickly increase iron levels to avoid any medical complications or blood transfusions
How to prepare an iron infusion
Your doctor will give you specific instructions about how to prepare for your first iron infusion. You can prepare the following basic items for your iron infusion treatment:
- Eat breakfast and lunch as you don’t need to fast for iron infusions.
- Take your regular medication
- Be prepared to have a small IV drip placed in your arm and/or hand
- Know how to contact help if you experience an adverse reaction during an infusion
It is possible to feel anxious about the iron infusion. Talking to your doctor about the procedure beforehand can help you reduce anxiety. Your doctor can suggest ways to make you feel relaxed and comfortable during the procedure.
Comfort Tips
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing.
- Make sure you have drinking water.
- Listen to music.
- You can watch a movie or TV show on your smartphone or tablet.
- Read a magazine or book.
What happens in an iron infusion?
A hospital or hemodialysis centre is the usual place for iron infusions. A doctor, nurse or another healthcare provider will insert a small tube through a vein using a needle. The catheter is a small tube. The catheter is usually inserted into your veins in the arm or hand. After that, your healthcare provider will take out the needle and leave the catheter in the vein.
Attach the catheter to a long tube connected to an iron IV bag. The iron has been mixed with a saline solution. The solution can be pumped into your vein, or gravity will slowly drip down the tube into your vein.
The IV needle may cause a slight pinch to your skin. During the procedure, there may be pressure at the site of the IV needle insertion.
The doctor will first give you a test dose to ensure that you have no adverse reactions to iron. They will not perform the procedure if you have any adverse reactions.
What is the time it takes to infuse iron?
Iron infusions can take as long as 3-4 hours. For this duration, you should be able to sit down. The infusion can take up to an hour depending on your required treatment. It is important to avoid complications by infusing slowly.
Iron infusions can often be repeated several times to restore the body’s iron levels to the right levels. Iron infusions will be given over the course of a few weeks or one week. Iron infusions can take time and are more costly than other forms of anemia treatment.
Iron Transfusion Side Effects
You can immediately resume your regular activities after the infusion. Most people can drive themselves home. If you feel like it, you can go back to work after an infusion.
There may be side effects that occur right away. They are usually mild. These include:
- Temporary changes in how you eat and drink food.
- Headaches
- nausea and vomiting
- Muscle and joint pain
- Breathing difficulty
- Itching and rash
- Increased or decreased heart rate or blood pressure
- The injection site may cause burning sensations or swelling.
Serious side effects
Iron toxicity is a rare, but very serious side effect of iron infusions. Iron toxicity can be very severe and cause anaphylactic shock. They may develop slowly over time. Iron toxicities can develop over time and cause too much iron to be found in the tissues.
This is why the test dose and slow infusion rate were done. The test dose is important if you have had multiple drug allergies in the past. Your doctor will use the test dose to monitor for allergic reactions. These reactions could include:
- Anaphylaxis
- Shock
- Hypotension severe (low blood pressure).
- collapse
- Loss of consciousness
Iron infusion vs. iron injection
Infusions of iron involve injecting iron into a vein using an IV drip. Iron injections are when iron is injected into muscle using a needle. The injection is typically done in the buttocks. Iron injections can deliver the entire dose in a matter of minutes, while iron infusions can take several hours.
Iron injections are more painful than iron infusions. Injections can cause intramuscular bleeding or orange discoloration. Doctors often prefer iron infusions to iron injections for treatment of iron deficiency.
Iron infusions during pregnancy
Pregnant women need iron more as their fetus grows. Anemia can occur when the iron levels of the mother and foetus decrease. Iron infusions are sometimes prescribed for pregnant women.
Because oral iron supplements can cause side effects, infusions are preferred to oral. Iron infusions should be reserved for the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. It is not known whether it is safe to give iron infusions to pregnant women during the first trimester.
Iron infusion benefits
A iron infusion can be used to increase your body’s iron level quickly. This is a faster treatment than supplements and dietary changes. In severe cases of anemia, this can be extremely helpful.
An iron infusion can provide you with increased energy and better breathing. These benefits should manifest a few weeks after the last iron infusion treatment. These benefits will last a few weeks, depending on what caused your iron deficiency and whether you are using other therapies to boost your iron levels.
Chronic iron levels may result from regular blood loss, such as during menstruation. The benefits of iron infusions can last from a few months to several years, depending on your situation.
Your doctor might recommend additional iron-increasing treatments, such as supplementation or dietary changes. This can prolong the benefits.
