Infusions

What Is Iron Deficiency

Iron-deficiency is a common cause of anaemia (low red blood cell or haemoglobin levels). Iron deficiency causes approximately half of all anaemia cases worldwide and affects women more often than men.

World estimates of iron deficiency occurrence are somewhat vague, but the true number probably exceeds one billion people. This can result if:

• The body does not make enough red blood cells
• Bleeding causes loss of red blood cells more quickly than they can be replaced.

Anaemia is one result of advanced-stage iron deficiency. When the body has sufficient iron to meet its needs (functional iron), the remainder is stored for later use in all cells, but mostly in the bone marrow, liver, and spleen. These stores are called ferritin complexes and are part of the human (and other animals) iron metabolism systems.

Iron from the food you eat is absorbed into the body by the cells that line the gastrointestinal tract; the body only absorbs a small fraction of the iron you ingest.

The iron is then released into the bloodstream, where a protein called transferrin attaches to it and delivers the iron to the liver. Iron is stored in the liver as ferritin and released as needed to make new red blood cells in the bone marrow.

When red blood cells are no longer able to function (after about 120 days in circulation), they are reabsorbed by the spleen. The body can also recycle iron from these old cells.

Iron is very important in maintaining many body functions, including the production of haemoglobin, the molecule in your blood that carries oxygen. Iron is also necessary to maintain healthy cells, skin, hair, and nails. If you have fewer red blood cells than is normal, your organs and tissues will not get as much iron.

What are the Causes of Iron Deficiency

Deficiency of iron results from insufficient dietary intake and absorption of iron, and/or iron loss from bleeding which can originate from a range of sources such as the intestinal, uterine or urinary tract.

Iron deficiency is very common, especially among women and in people who have a diet that is low in iron. The following groups of people are at the highest risk for iron-deficiency anaemia:

• Women who menstruate, particularly if menstrual periods are heavy
• Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding or those who have recently given birth
• People who have undergone major surgery
• People with gastrointestinal diseases such as Coeliac Disease, inflammatory bowel diseases such as Ulcerative colitis, or Crohn’s Disease
• People with peptic ulcer disease
• People who have undergone bariatric procedures, especially gastric bypass operations
• Vegetarians, vegans, and other people whose diets do not include iron-rich foods (Iron from vegetables, even those that are iron-rich, is not absorbed as well as iron from meat, poultry, and fish.)
• Children who drink more than 500mL to 700mL a day of cow’s milk (cow’s milk not only contains little iron, but it can also decrease the absorption of iron and irritate the intestinal lining causing chronic blood loss).

Other less common causes of iron deficiency include:

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can cause bleeding in the stomach. Ibuprofen and aspirin are two commonly prescribed NSAIDs. If your GP thinks your medication is causing gastrointestinal bleeding, they can prescribe a less harmful medicine. Do not stop taking the medicine you have been prescribed unless your GP advises you to.
• Stomach ulcers. The acid in your stomach (which helps your body to digest food) can sometimes eat into your stomach lining. When this happens, the acid forms an ulcer (an open sore). This is also known as a stomach ulcer (peptic ulcer). Stomach ulcers can cause your stomach lining to bleed, which leads to anaemia.
• Gastrointestinal cancer. In a few cases, gastrointestinal bleeding can be caused by cancer, usually of the stomach or colon. When diagnosing the cause of anaemia, your GP will check for possible signs of cancer. If your GP suspects cancer, you will be referred to a Gastroenterologist (a specialist in treating digestive conditions) for a more thorough examination. This means that if cancer is found, it can be treated as quickly as possible. Read more about bowel cancer.
• Gastrointestinal bleeding can also be caused by a condition called angiodysplasia. This is due to abnormal blood vessels in the gastrointestinal tract, which can cause bleeding.
• Chronic kidney disease. Many people with chronic kidney disease develop iron deficiency anaemia. Most people with chronic kidney disease who have iron deficiency anaemia will be given iron supplement injections, although daily tablets may be tried first.

Symptoms Of Iron Deficiency

Many people with iron deficiency anaemia will only have a few signs or symptoms.

The severity of these symptoms largely depends on how quickly your anaemia develops. You may only notice a few symptoms or they may develop gradually if your anaemia is caused by a long-term problem, such as a stomach ulcer.

The most common symptoms include:

• Tiredness and lethargy (lack of energy)
• Weakness
• Shortness of breath
• Heart palpitations (noticeable heartbeat)
• A pale complexion

Less common symptoms include:

• Headache
• Tinnitus (hearing sounds coming from inside the body, rather than from an outside source)
• An altered sense of taste
• Frequent infections
• Feeling itchy, cold hands and feet
• A sore or abnormally smooth tongue
• Hair loss
• Painful ulcers (open sores) on the corners of your mouth
• Spoon-shaped and brittle nails

How Is Iron-Deficiency Diagnosed?

Iron-deficiency and anaemia are diagnosed by a simple blood test.

It is best to discuss with your doctor about your symptoms, and ask if your doctor would recommend a specific blood test that is widely available.

The results will become available within a short few days. Make sure you see your doctor for the results after having blood tests.

Treatment Of Iron Deficiency

Even if the cause of the iron deficiency can be identified and treated, it is still usually necessary to take medicinal iron (more iron than a multivitamin can provide) until the deficiency is corrected and the body’s iron stores are replenished.

In some cases, if the cause cannot be identified or corrected, the patient may have to receive supplemental iron on an ongoing basis. There are several ways to increase iron intake:

Consume More Iron Rich Foods

Many foods contain iron, including:

• Meat: beef, pork, or lamb, especially organ meats such as liver
• Poultry: chicken, turkey, and duck, especially liver and dark meat
• Fish, especially shellfish, sardines, and anchovies
• Leafy green members of the cabbage family including broccoli, kale, turnip greens
• Legumes, peas
• Iron-enriched pastas, grains, rice, and cereals

Medicinal Iron

The amount of iron needed to treat patients with iron deficiency is higher than the amount found in most daily multivitamin supplements. The amount of iron prescribed by your doctor will be in milligrams (mg) of elemental iron.

Most people with iron deficiency need 150-200 mg per day of elemental iron (2 to 5 mg of iron per kilogram of body weight per day).

Intravenous Iron (infusion).

Since the approval of a new iron formulation called FerInject to be covered by Medicare in eligible patients, more and more people have chosen to have iron given intravenously.

Unlike previous formulations that must be diluted and given slowly over 6-7 hours, the new preparation FerInject can be given over 15 minutes.

There is no sedation involved and you can drive back to work after the infusion. The advantages of an iron infusion include the immediate boost in iron stores and the avoidance of common side effects of oral iron (constipation).

Liquid iron can be expensive if taken for an extended period of time (often months).

How is Iron Infusion given?

After being admitted by nursing staff and baseline observations have been taken (blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, respiratory rate and oxygen saturation),

• The doctor will insert a cannula into a small vein in the arm or back of the hand.
• Your nurse will then connect a medication line to the cannula containing 20mL of Iron solution (corresponding to 1g of Iron).
• The infusion will commence once you are comfortable and take approximately 15 minutes.
• Once the infusion is complete, the medication line will be flushed with saline, disconnected, and removed just prior to discharge.
• Repeat observations will be taken upon completion of the infusion and you will be discharged shortly after when deemed safe by your nurse.

What is the cost of the Iron Infusion?

Please check with our staff to ensure this fee is still correct at the time of making a booking

Our Infusion Fee\s covers the cost of the medicine, the infusion treatment, the doctor’s fees and all associated fees.

If you have private health insurance, you may be able to obtain a full rebate depending on the level of your cover. For more information on the rebate or to make an appointment please contact one of our centres, and one of our friendly receptionists will be able to assist you.

Possible side effects.

A major consideration is to ensure that the person who inserts the intravenous cannula is very experienced at it.

All the cannulations are inserted by our experienced doctors, as this drastically reduces the risk of iron leaking from the vein to the surrounding tissue, which can leave a dark stain on your skin for a number of months.

Other side effects are mild, and occur in 1 to 10% of patients, but tell your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following signs: rash (eg.hives), itching, wheezing and /or swelling of the lips, tongue, throat or body.

Following your Iron infusion you may:

• Eat and drink your normal diet
• Drive a vehicle
• Return to work

What is a Vitamin Infusion?

Intravenous Vitamin Infusion is an upcoming mode of ‘alternative’ therapy, being popularized by athletes, celebrities and famous personalities.

Intravenous Vitamin Infusion is used as a method of bypassing the digestive system and delivering the maximum dose of vitamins and minerals into the bloodstream, as a cure for conditions ranging from reducing ageing to curing jet lag and recovering from the flu.

Evidence suggests the benefits of intravenous infusion therapy are broad but are still being studied and determined.

What Conditions Does Intravenous Vitamin Infusion help?

Intravenous Vitamin Infusion is a treatment condition including:

Epstein Barr Virus (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) and chronic stress,

• Fibromyalgia,
• Depression,
• Recurrent infections and Influenza symptoms,
• Dementia, and
• Some Cancers.

Why is Intravenous Vitamin Infusion Required?

Intravenous Vitamin Infusion is required to maximize the amount of nutrients available in the body, by bypassing the digestive system.

Each infusion is custom-designed, as per the needs and requirements of every individual, allowing them to reach their maximum potential every day.

Who is Intravenous Vitamin Infusion Suitable for?

Intravenous Vitamin Infusion is suitable for most individuals. Intravenous vitamin infusion supplements vitamin deficiencies and acts as a quick boost.

However, people who are suffering from a lung or heart condition or chronic disease such as diabetes should be evaluated on a case by case basis.

Preparation Before Intravenous Vitamin Infusion

Intravenous Vitamin Infusion can be performed as an outpatient procedure by clinics.

In order to determine the best outcome, the individual should be adequately counselled to ensure that the informed consent obtained is fully understood.

A complete history and physical examination should be completed to determine suitability for the procedure, which may include lab tests. This information allows the staff to determine which combination of vitamins and minerals should be administered for the best results.

Steps in Intravenous Vitamin Infusion

The Intravenous Vitamin Infusion surgery is performed as a walk-in procedure. The steps include:

1. Making the individual comfortable in a relaxing chair.
2. Using a tourniquet to make veins more prominent on one of the upper limbs, and selecting a suitable vein for intravenous (IV) line insertion.
3. Cleaning the site with an alcohol swab and insertion of the IV line.
4. Starting the infusion at a steady rate.
5. Stopping the infusion once the dose is completed and removal of the IV drip set.
6. The entire procedure takes 30 – 45 minutes

What Should I Expect after Intravenous Vitamin Infusion?

Immediately after the procedure, the intravenous line is removed and the individual can be discharged.

Patients experience a revitalized freshness and energy boost within minutes of infusion, lasting for a few hours or more.

Possible Risk or Complications of Intravenous Vitamin Infusion

Intravenous Vitamin Infusion carries all the risks associated with an intravenous infusion. Despite being uncommon these include infection, bleeding, an allergic reaction and air bubbles risk, which may be introduced into the blood if not done properly.

The benefits of IV Vitamin Infusion are still being evaluated, compared to oral intake of vitamins, however, indications are impressive.

In some cases the infusion of certain vitamins and minerals may result in their excess availability in the system, which can be toxic and cause health issues, such as hemochromatosis caused by excess iron.