ABOUT INTRAVENOUS IRON.....

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LOW IRON? WHY DOES IT MATTER?

Iron is an essential nutrient which is a key ingredient in the creation of hemoglobin, hair and skin. Lack of Iron can result in fatigue, weakness, poor outcomes after elective surgery, confusion, hair loss and poor healing. Patients with restless leg syndrome and renal disease also benefit from supplemental iron. Menstrual losses, childbirth, blood loss from surgery/GI tract will require even more iron to be absorbed to compensate for accumulated deficiencies.

CHALLENGES ABSORBING IRON : DIET AND SUPPLEMENTS

Our bodies require 1-2mg of elemental iron everyday. Typically, a standard diet provided around 15mg of iron daily (BUT MOST OF THIS IRON IS NOT ABSORBED). Plant based diets also are great, but can also be a challenge to provide sufficient iron in the most absorbable form.

Taking oral iron supplements are helpful and are usually sufficient to replenished diminished iron stores, but it does not happen quickly, and oral iron supplements often have side effects (constipation, GI upset, etc...). Furthermore, medications that reduce stomach acidity, gluten intolerance and the form of iron taken (Fe2+, Heme iron, is more absorbable.....Fe3+, Non-Heme Iron, is less absorbable). Only the first 2 feet of the small intestine after the stomach can absorb iron.

Replacing iron with oral supplements and diet is preferable, but it can take a long time and may not actually be enough.

So sometimes, you might need more iron, quickly, to help build red blood cells, stop hair loss and increase energy.

FORMS OF IV IRON AVAILABLE

We offer two forms of intravenous iron:

1) VENOFER (Iron Sucrose): 100mg - 300mg of elemental iron per session.

Usually administered within 90-120 minutes

About $100-150 per vial (200mg)

2) MONOFERRIC (Ferric Derisomaltose): Up to 1000mg of elemental iron per session.

Usually administered within 30-60 minutes

About $600 for 1000mg dose

For both formulations:

One can expect up to a 1-2gm/l increase in Hemoglobin per 100mg within 3-4 weeks

Adverse reactions are possible, but severe allergic reactions are very uncommon.

Less severe reactions include rash, muscle pain, dizziness, palpitations (<1%)