Approximately 1 in 8 Australian women are estimated to suffer from Iron Deficiency.

The most common symptoms associated with Iron Deficiency are fatigue, malaise and feeling run down. Although headaches, migraines, restless leg syndrome and other symptoms are associated with this condition, including anaemia and cardiovascular complications.

Iron infusions are a safe and popular way to replace iron and effectively treat the common and not so common symptoms of Iron Deficiency.

There’s a number of ways to treat iron deficiency including oral supplements, IV infusions and injections into the muscle, with an iron infusion being the most rapid. Iron infusions replenish depleted iron stores with intravenous iron over a 20 - 40 minute period. Iron infusions are safely and quickly administered by our experienced staff in the clinic.

If you feel you may be iron deficient, make an appointment with one of our friendly GP’s and they’ll be able to make an assessment and recommend the best next steps.

If you have had a recent blood test that has confirmed your ferritin is low and you would like to book in for an iron infusion please follow the link below

Symptoms of Iron Deficiency

Symptoms of iron deficiency can range from mild to severe and typically present in the following:

  • Fatigue

  • Pale skin

  • Physical weakness

  • Chest pain, fast heartbeat or shortness of breath

  • Headaches or dizziness 

  • Coldness in hands and feet

  • Sore tongue

  • Brittle nails

  • Unusual food cravings for things like ice and starch

  • Poor appetite 

When is an Iron Infusion recommended?

It’s best to speak to your doctor regarding iron infusions, however they are typically recommended when blood levels of iron (ferritin) are found to be low. Some reasons for choosing an iron infusion over oral iron supplements are:

  • Patients are unable to tolerate iron orally

  • Patients are unable to absorb iron through the gut

  • Patients are in need of rapid iron intake to due complications in surgery

An iron infusion is a minor procedure in which a medication containing iron is directly infused into the bloodstream.

When to Speak to a Doctor about Iron Infusions?

If you or a family member experience any of the above symptoms, it’s best to speak to a doctor who will be able to identify the right course of treatment.

FAQ’s

  • Iron is an essential element involved in many physiological functions, and is necessary for the oxygen-carrying capacity of hemoglobin in red blood cells and myoglobin in muscle tissue. Iron plays a crucial role in numerous other vital processes in the human body.

    As the human body cannot produce iron, we get our stores from dietary intake, with our body recycling a large portion of Iron that it absorbs, uses and then breaks down.

  • Physiological Iron stores are thought to best be represented by Ferritin levels, which are measured through a blood test.

    Ferritin levels below 30ug/L indicate Iron Deficiency, although some people argue that Ferritin below 45ug/L represent deplete stores and should be actively treated.

    Low Iron levels may result in symptoms such as low energy, fatigue, malaise, headaches, restless legs. Iron deficient anaemia may also occur with prolonged levels of low iron.

  • An iron infusion is a minor procedure in which a medication containing iron is directly infused into the bloodstream. This iron-containing preparation circulates in the body and is delivered to organs that require iron for proper functioning.

    Ferric carboxymaltose (FCM), is an intravenous (IV) iron medication used to treat iron deficiency. It consists of iron in the form of ferric carboxymaltose, which is an iron carbohydrate compound.

    Notably, Ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) is an iron preparation with unique characteristics that enable larger single doses to be administered over a shorter infusion period compared to previously used IV iron preparations.

  • Iron deficiency occurs due to inadequate dietary intake, and/or inadequate gut absorption, and/or blood loss (most commonly occurring through menstruation). It is approximated that 1 in 10 Australian women suffer from Iron deficiency.

    Iron can be replaced through increasing dietary Iron intake, predominantly through eating red meat.

    Oral supplementation is recommended as first line for treatment of Iron deficiency. Oral iron suppliments can cause nausea and constipation, and need to be taken regularly for a prolonged period to by effective. Oral iron can often be poorly tolerated or ineffective.

    Intravenous iron infusions, where iron is directly administered through a cannula by a doctor or a nurse, allows low risk immediate replacement of Iron over 15-20 minutes.

  • There are several ways to increase iron stores. These include increasing dietary iron, oral iron supplements, as well as intravenous iron infusions.

    In Australia, the current clinical approach recommends using oral iron as the initial treatment (in appropriate doses and for an adequate duration) for most patients with iron-deficiency.

    Oral iron is commonly poorly tolerated and often ineffective, and may cause constipation, nausea, stomach cramps etc. Oral iron should be taken with Vitamin C.

    In cases where individuals have low iron levels, and can not tolerate oral iron, an iron infusion may be suggested to rapidly increase iron stores.

  • Iron infusions are considered safe and effective, especially with the availability of newer iron-containing preparations. In the past, older iron infusions were associated with frequent side effects, including allergic reactions.

    With the current iron-containing preparation we administer, such side effects are significantly less common, but there is still a potential risk. Your doctor will discuss with you the potential risks and benefits of undergoing an iron infusion based on your specific circumstances.

  • It is unusual to experience any significant side-effects from an iron infusion with the newer iron containing medications.

    Some people may experience a headache or mild nausea up to 48 hours after. Less commonly some patients experience flushing, a disturbance in taste, itchiness, fever and chills.

    A serious and rare complication of Iron infusions is Anaphylaxis, which is a serious allergic reaction. This is thought to occur in approximately less than 1 in 1000 iron infusions.

    A full list of risks and side effects can be found below.

  • Iron infusions are not appropriate for people who :

    1. Are in the first trimester of pregnancy

    2. Are allergic to Ferric Carboxymaltose

    3. Have iron Overload/Haemochromatosis

    4. Are under the age of 16 years

    5. Suffer from fever/infections