Iron Infusion
An iron infusion is a treatment that quickly delivers iron via a vein. It’s used to treat anaemia – when you don't have enough iron in your body to make healthy red blood cells.
What is an iron infusion?
Iron is an important mineral in the body. If you don’t have enough of it, your body can’t make haemoglobin, a protein inside red blood cells that gives blood its red pigment, and helps carry oxygen around your body.
This can lead to iron-deficiency anaemia and a range of symptoms such as tiredness, weakness, headaches, shortness of breath, and pale skin.
Iron infusion is a fast and efficient treatment for anaemia that can quickly replace the body’s iron stores with a liquid iron solution, given through a vein. At Welbeck, this treatment is carried out in our state-of-the-art Digestive Health centre.
You may need an iron infusion if you:
have blood loss from ulcers, some cancers, or heavy monthly periods
have coeliac disease
eat a diet that doesn’t have enough iron in it
have tried taking oral iron supplements, but this didn’t work well
have very low iron levels
are on dialysis and often lose blood during it
take medications that affect how your body absorbs iron
need more iron because you’re pregnant or have severe anaemia
More information
An iron infusion is given to you directly into a vein (intravenously) through a small hollow needle, where fluid containing iron flows from a bag and into your bloodstream – this is called an IV drip.
At Welbeck, all iron infusions are carried out by our consultant gastroenterologists and specialist nurses.
You can expect the following during an iron infusion:
You’ll be directed to a chair and made to feel comfortable.
Your blood pressure, temperature, and pulse will be taken.
A specialist nurse will clean the area where the IV drip will go into the skin, on your arm or hand.
When you’re ready, the nurse will use a needle to insert a small tube (catheter) into a vein in your arm or hand. Then, they’ll remove the needle, leaving the catheter in your vein. You may feel a slight pinch in your skin where the IV needle is inserted.
The catheter is attached to a long tube, which is connected to an IV bag of iron. This solution will then be pumped into your vein slowly.
The specialist nurse will give you a test dose at first – this is to make sure you don’t have any reactions to the iron. If you do, the procedure will be stopped.
Otherwise, you’ll need to remain in the same position until the IV drip has finished, which can take up to 45 minutes.
Your vital signs will be taken again before you leave the clinic, to check for any potential problems.
An iron infusion is very safe and comes with minimal side effects, but in some patients it may cause:
a burning sensation and swelling where the needle was inserted
a metallic taste in your mouth – this normally disappears within 15 minutes of having the injection
dizziness and feeling faint, sick or lightheaded
Rarer side effects can include:
bloating or swelling in your face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
tingling or numbness
mild fever
joint or muscle aches and pains
skin problems, including a rash
chest pain
low blood pressure
skin flushing
permanent skin staining where the needle was inserted – it can happen if the needle dislodges during treatment, causing the fluid to leak into the surrounding tissues just under the skin
anaphylactic-like reactions – this is rare and tends to go away within a few minutes. In some cases, it may need to be treated with a hydrocortisone injection
If you notice any of these side effects during treatment, tell your nurse or consultant.
There’s no specific preparation needed for an iron infusion. You can eat and drink as normal and take any regular medications on the day.
After the infusion has finished, you’ll be monitored for 15 to 30 minutes. Once you’re given the all clear to leave the clinic, you can carry on with normal activities and eat and drink as normal.
You may notice some mild flu-like symptoms for 2 to 3 days, as well as some bruising or swelling where the needle was inserted. Make sure to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, and take paracetamol for any pain, if needed.
Please contact our Digestive Health centre for pricing information.
At Welbeck, our gastroenterologists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.
With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.
All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.
To book an iron infusion, you must be referred by either your GP or a specialist following a consultation with them. Self-referrals are not accepted for this treatment.
If you would like to schedule a consultation with a gastroenterologist, please get in touch to make an appointment. Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.
Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.
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Frequently asked questions
Iron supplements taken orally (by mouth) can also be used to treat anaemia. These should be taken once or twice a day on an empty stomach, but they tend to cause side effects, such as nausea and constipation, and often don’t work as effectively as IV iron.
You won’t be able to have an iron infusion if you’re allergic to any of the ingredients in the iron solution, you have liver disease, or have had abnormal liver function tests recently, you have any new or ongoing infections, you’re less than 12 weeks pregnant, or if you’re anaemia isn’t caused by low iron.
Most people will start to notice an improvement in their energy levels and other symptoms within a couple of weeks after an iron infusion, but this can vary from person to person.
You may be more likely to have an allergic reaction to IV iron if you already have allergies to medicines, you have asthma, eczema or allergies to dust, pollen or pet dander, or you have an immune or inflammatory condition, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.