Iron is an essential mineral for the human body. It is needed to produce haemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs throughout the body. Without iron, the body cannot produce enough healthy red blood cells. Iron also helps the immune system function properly and is important for growth and development in infants and children. A lack of iron can lead to iron-deficiency anaemia, a condition in which the body does not have enough red blood cells to deliver oxygen to the body’s tissues.
Iron can be obtained from both dietary sources and supplements.
Dietary sources of iron include:
Meat, poultry, and fish, are high in heme iron, are the most easily absorbed form of iron. Plant-based foods such as leafy green vegetables, beans, and lentils, contain non-heme iron, a form of iron that is not as easily absorbed by the body.
Some fortified foods like cereals and bread have iron added to them.
When you do not get enough iron in your diet or have a health condition that causes problems with iron absorption in your gut, you may display symptoms of iron deficiency. If your doctor suspects that you are iron deficient, they will draw blood and send your blood sample to a lab to check your iron levels. Based on these results they may prescribe a daily oral supplement.
Iron supplements come in different forms such as tablets, capsules, and syrups. It’s important to follow the recommended dosage and to take the supplement with a source of vitamin C, which improves the absorption of iron.
Some people do not tolerate oral iron supplements well or it may take months to see an improvement with daily oral supplementation. Others may have a condition that does not allow them to absorb the necessary iron from their diet alone. In these cases, your doctor may recommend an iron IV infusion which will allow you to see improvements within days.
When the body does not have enough iron, it can lead to a condition called iron-deficiency anaemia. But before this even happens you may already be suffering from low iron body stores which can lead to anaemia if not addressed. Symptoms of iron-deficiency anaemia can include fatigue, weakness, pale skin, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, and headaches. If left untreated, iron-deficiency anaemia can lead to more serious health problems such as heart failure, infections, and poor growth and development in infants and children. Iron deficiency anaemia is a common disorder and is the most widespread form of anaemia. One in 2 women of child-bearing age will likely experience low iron levels. This is because they use and loose a large amount of iron during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menstruation.
Iron infusion therapy is a treatment for iron-deficiency anaemia in which iron is delivered directly into the bloodstream through an intravenous infusion (IV). It is also used for people who have chronic kidney disease, have anaemia due to cancer or undergoing haemodialysis and for people who have a bleeding disorder that causes blood loss, such as heavy periods or stomach ulcers.
The iron is infused over a period of several hours, and the patient may receive multiple infusions over a period of several weeks or months. The therapy is done under medical supervision and is usually done in a hospital or clinic setting.
Iron infusion therapy is typically used for patients who are unable to take oral iron supplements, who find it difficult to manage daily oral supplementation, or who have not responded to oral iron treatment. It’s also used for people who have developed anaemia due to blood loss and can’t be corrected with oral iron supplements. Because the iron is administered directly into your bloodstream, it bypasses your gut for 100% absorption. With the high absorption rate, you may experience improvement in a few days compared to oral supplementation which may take months.
Women of childbearing age are more likely to have low iron body stores which can eventually lead to iron deficiency anaemia. Men are less likely to experience this but should their test results show a lack of iron, further investigations may be needed to determine the cause.
If your body is lacking iron, you could experience some of the following symptoms:
- fatigue
- weakness
- pale skin
- shortness of breath
- headaches
If you are experiencing these symptoms, it is important to see a healthcare provider for an evaluation. Your healthcare provider may order blood tests to check your iron levels and determine if an iron infusion is necessary.
Iron infusions work by delivering iron directly into the bloodstream through an intravenous (IV) line. If iron reaches high levels in your body, it may be toxic. For this reason, iron infusions are only performed under the supervision of a doctor. And will only be prescribed after a consultation with a doctor and lab tests are run to check your current iron and ferritin levels.
1. Consultation: The first step is to book an appointment to see your doctor who can evaluate your symptoms and determined if an iron infusion is necessary. Dr Yusuf Arieff and associates are our onsite medical doctors. You may book an appointment to see him, or you own family GP.
2. Blood tests: Blood tests are usually done to check your iron levels and to see if you have low iron levels or iron deficiency anaemia. Note that blood test results will be sent to your doctor within a day or two.
3. Prescription and treatment preparation: Once your doctor has reviewed your test results and has recommended an iron infusion you can then go ahead a book an iron infusion with IV Medical Care. Please ask about medical aid reimbursement and claims out of hospital benefit for iron infusions.
4. Infusion: Prepare for your infusion by reading our tips on preparing for your infusion under FAQ. The infusion can last anywhere between 30 minutes to a few hours depending on the type of iron used. Be sure to check these details with our doctor. NOTE: The amount of iron that is infused can vary depending on the person’s weight, level of anaemia, and the type of iron product used.
5. Monitoring: Our doctor will monitor you during and after the infusion to check for any side effects or reactions.
6. Claiming from your medical aid: We will do our best to submit your claim to medical aid. Most medical aids approve iron infusions with ease out of your hospital benefit.
7. Follow-up: After the infusion, you will typically need to schedule a follow-up appointment to check your iron levels and to see how well you are responding to the treatment.
This depends on your individual needs and iron levels which our doctor will discuss with you. Usually only one infusion is needed depending on the cause of your anaemia.
At IV Medical Care, we use Monofer and Cosmofer in our iron infusion therapies. Both products are administered intravenously (IV) and are used to replenish the body’s iron stores and to treat iron-deficiency anaemia.
Monofer is administered as an IV infusion and is typically given over 30 – 60 minutes.
Cosmofer is also administered as an IV infusion and is typically given over 2-3 hours.
Both Monofer and Cosmofer are effective in treating iron-deficiency anaemia but may have different side effects and may not be suitable for everyone. Our doctor will determine the best option for you based on your individual needs and medical history.
An iron infusion is gentler on the stomach, has far better absorption rates, no constipation and is faster acting compared to oral supplementation.
Iron infusions are generally considered safe, but as with any medical treatment, there can be side effects. The most common side effects of iron infusions include:
- Nausea
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Flushing or itching at the infusion site
- Chills or fever
Less common side effects can include:
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Rapid heartbeat
- An allergic reaction (such as hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat)
It’s important to note that people vary rarely experience side effects with iron infusion therapy and some people may experience only mild symptoms. Your healthcare provider will be able to provide more information about the potential side effects and how to manage them.
Because of these possible side-effects it is important that your iron infusion is given and monitored by an experienced healthcare professional. This is to ensure that, should you experience any side effects, you will have immediate access to a trained medical doctor to assist you.