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Iron Infusion Procedure

Simple procedure to replace your iron
  • Iron infusion is an efficient and cost effective way to replenish your body's iron stores.
  • Iron infusions takes about 30 minutes with minimal side effects and risk.

Iron Infusion Procedure in Perth:

Iron infusion is offered by various hospital and general practice. Iron infusion can be done conveniently and comfortably at Northbridge Medical Centre. The doctors and nurses at Northbridge Medical Centre are committed to providing the highest level of care to all our patients by tailoring our approach to fulfill the needs of individuals.

 

Iron infusion is a medical procedure used to treat iron deficiency or iron deficiency anaemia. The iron is infused directly into the bloodstream via a intravenous drip. The procedure can quickly replenish the iron stores in your body.

 

What is an Iron Infusion:

Iron infusion is a standard medical procedure which involves feeding the iron directly into the bloodstream through an Intravenous drip.  The procedure can quickly replenish iron stores in the body. During the iron infusion, a doctor will insert an intravenous line into a vein, usually in the arm or the hand. The line is then connected to a solution containing iron and the iron is slowly dripped into your body. The procedure typically takes about 30minutes. A nurse will monitor the progress during the iron infusion procedure.

 

 

What happens when your iron is low?

The symptoms of iron deficiency can mimic a multitude of health issues. Depending on the severity of iron deficiency, the symptoms can include various non specific symptoms like fatigue, weakness, pale skin, brittle nails and hair loss. The symptoms can also include serious symptoms such as dizziness shortness of breath, headaches, changes in blood pressure and heart rate. Lack of iron also commonly mimic mental health symptoms such as poor sleep, lack of concentration, mood swings, depression and anxiety.

 

 

When do I need an Iron infusion:

Your doctor may recommend you to have an iron infusion due to various reasons or your iron is critically low. The following are some of the common scenario where iron infusion might be needed:

 

  • Unable to tolerate oral iron supplement or side effects from the supplement
  • There is an underlying conditions that affected the iron absorption in the gut
  • The loss of iron exceeded the amount of iron being absorbed
  • Situation whereby there is a need to rapidly increase the iron level, such as faster relief of symptoms, when you are pregnant or planning to have surgery.
  • Certain medical condition requiring direct iron replacement such as heart failure and chronic kidney disease

 

How effective is iron infusion in treating iron deficiency anaemia?

The iron is infused directly into the bloodstream and therefore is highly effective in managing iron deficiency.  However, several factors including severity of the anaemia, the underlying cause of the iron deficiency and also the overall patient’s health can directly affect the efficiency of the procedure.

 

What cause you to have low iron?

It is important to see your doctor to find out the causes of your iron deficiency.

  1. Inadequate iron intake: Low iron can be commonly caused by lack of iron-rich food in the diet.  Vegetarians and vegans may be at a higher risk, as iron from plant-based sources is not as easily absorbed by the body as iron from animal sources.
  2. Blood loss: Women who experience heavy menstrual bleeding or those who has sustained blood loss from gastrointestinal causes like ulcer or haemorrhoids,  can lead to iron depletion in the body.
  3. Malabsorption: Certain medical conditions such as coeliac disease and inflammatory bowel disease can interfere with the body’s ability to absorb iron from food.
  4. Increased iron requirements: Pregnant women, infants, and children may require higher levels of iron, and a lack of sufficient iron intake can lead to anemia.

What happens when your iron is low?

Depending on the severity of the iron deficiency, the symptoms can include:

  1. Various non specific symptoms like fatigue, weakness, pale skin, brittle nails and hair loss.
  2. The symptoms can also include serious symptoms such as dizziness shortness of breath, headaches, changes in blood pressure and heart rate.
  3. Lack of iron also commonly mimic mental health symptoms such as poor sleep, lack of concentration, mood swings, depression and anxiety.

What should you do when your iron is low?

Once iron deficiency is identified, it is vital for your doctor to identify and treat the cause of the problem. The following are options of management  to increase  your iron level in your blood:

  1. Adjust your diet into a balanced diet comprising iron-rich foods such as red meat, poultry, seafood, beans and leafy green vegetables.
  2. Take vitamin C which improves the absorption of iron
  3. Take iron supplement in either tablet or liquid form
  4. Arrange an iron infusion with your doctor
  5. Management of heavy menstruation or gastrointestinal blood loss.

 

What are the risk of Iron infusion?

Iron infusion is generally a safe procedure with minimal risk. 

  1. The most significant risk of iron infusion is severe hypersensitivity or anaphylaxis to the iron material.
  2. There is also a risk of iron leakage from the drip site. The extravasation can lead to skin irritation or permanent discolouration of the skin

 

The doctor and the nurses will closely monitor your progression during the infusion. The. doctors and nurses will also take steps to reduce potential risk associated with iron infusion by:

  1. Appropriate selection of vein for cannulation.
  2. Use appropriate infusion equipment
  3. Appropriate or slowing down the iron infusion rate.
  4. Monitor the drip site closely by the nurse for swelling, pain or discolouration.

 

You are required to notify the nurses if the following symptoms occur during the infusion:

    1. Unwell, nausea or dizziness.
    2. Pain at cannula site.
    3. Racing heart or palpitation
    4. Shortness of breath or chest tightness
    5. Abdominal pain or discomfort

 You will also be asked not to be left alone at any stage for 30 minutes after the infusion.

Are there any side effects with Iron infusion?

As with all medical procedure or medications, there is a risk of side effects with iron infusion. The most common side effect are:

  • Flushing or sweating
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Metallic taste in the mouth
  • Local redness or swelling at the cannula site
  • Skin Rash

These side effects are usually mild and resolve on their own within a few hours.

Is an Iron infusion painful?

Generally, the iron infusion is considered to be well-tolerated and painless. Some patients may feel mild discomfort at the cannula site or metallic taste in their mouth.

Why do we not use Iron Injection?

Iron injections are now rarely recommended due to the risk of permanent staining of the skin.

What is the role of Iron in the blood and body:

Iron is an essential material for the production of haemoglobin, a compound that makes red blood cells to carry oxygen to transport to other parts of the body. When iron levels in the body becomes too low, the haemoglobin will fall below normal  limit leading to condition called Iron deficiency anaemia.

 

What causes you to have low iron:

It is important to see your doctor to find out the causes of your iron deficiency. The common causes of low iron are:

  1. Inadequate iron intake: Low iron can be commonly caused by lack of iron-rich food in the diet.  Vegetarians and vegans may be at a higher risk, as iron from plant-based sources is not as easily absorbed by the body as iron from animal sources.
  2. Blood loss: Women who experience heavy menstrual bleeding or those who has sustained blood loss from gastrointestinal causes like ulcer or haemorrhoids,  can lead to iron depletion in the body.
  3. Malabsorption: Certain medical conditions such as coeliac disease and inflammatory bowel disease can interfere with the body's ability to absorb iron from food.
  4. Increased iron requirements: Pregnant women, infants, and children may require higher levels of iron, and a lack of sufficient iron intake can lead to anemia.

 

How do I confirm that I have low iron?

Your doctor can confirm your iron level by using a range of blood test and checking the iron level.

 

Iron Infusion consultation fee:

Iron infusion procedure:  $185

  • Medicare rebate of $76.95 is available.
  • This cost includes the equipment and consumables.
  • This cost does not include the iron material. The patient is required to purchase the iron from the pharmacy and bring along the iron to the appointment.
  • There may be instances that the doctor requires a separate consultation before or after the procedure.

 

How to book an Iron infusion procedure with Northbridge Medical Centre:

  • If you are a patient of Northbridge Medical Centre, your doctor at the practice will likely to organise the procedure for you.
  • Otherwise, please call us on 0892288339 and speak directly to a member of our friendly team
  • You should always speak to your doctor to determine whether an iron infusion is an appropriate treatment option for you.
  • You are also require to have a prescription for the iron material, purchase the iron from the pharmacy and bring along the iron to the appointment.
  • If you are a new patient, please bring a copy of your most recent iron test results  from your usual doctor.

Book in your Iron Infusion Procedure

The knowledgeable team at Northbridge Medical Centre are here for any questions or concerns you may have about Iron infusion procedure.  Simply contact us or all 08 9228 8339 to book in your consultation.

 

 

 

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