Understanding Iron Infusions

What is Iron Deficiency?

If you don't have enough iron, your body can't make hemoglobin. This protein helps blood carry oxygen throughout your body. With this issue, you may develop anemia. This is known as iron-deficiency anemia, the most common type of anemia.

Factors that can lower your body's supply of iron include:

• Blood loss from ulcers, some cancers, and other conditions or during monthly periods.
• A diet that doesn't have enough iron in it.
• Medications that interfere with your body's ability to absorb iron.
• An increase in your body's need for iron (for instance, during pregnancy).

What is an Iron Infusion?

An iron infusion is a way to receive iron through a small catheter in your vein. Intravenous (IV) iron supplementation is another name for this. A healthcare provider performs this procedure in a medical office or clinic.

Why is an Iron Infusion Done?

People usually receive IV iron infusions because they can't take oral (by mouth) iron. These include people who:

• Have bleeding in their gastrointestinal tract (gut) and need to replace iron quickly. (Your body absorbs IV iron more rapidly than iron you swallow.)
• Have inflammatory bowel disease (diseases of the intestines that cause pain, diarrhea, and weight loss), and can't take oral iron because it upsets their gastrointestinal tract.
• Are on dialysis and often lose blood during dialysis. In addition, these people are usually taking an erythropoietin-stimulating agent (ESA) and may need extra iron.
• Have iron-deficiency anemia and are having high blood loss surgery (> 500 milliliters) within the next two months and need to replace iron quickly.
• Have celiac disease (gluten intolerance).
• Have cancer and anemia and are taking an ESA.
• Have tried oral iron, but it didn't work well for them.
• Have a vascular condition that makes them lose a lot of blood.
• Need to increase their iron level quickly because of pregnancy or severe anemia.