Iron deficiency is common, especially in women of reproductive age, during pregnancy, and in people with certain gut conditions. Once it's diagnosed, there are two main ways to treat it: oral iron (tablets or liquid) or intravenous iron (an infusion). This article explains how doctors typically weigh up the two, so you can have a better conversation with your GP.
Oral iron: the usual first step
Tablets are cheap, widely available and effective for many people. The catch is that iron is absorbed slowly through the gut, so it can take several months to restore your stores, and a significant number of people find the side effects hard to tolerate: constipation, nausea, stomach upset and dark stools are common. Absorption is also reduced by some foods, medications and gut conditions.
When an infusion is considered
Doctors commonly consider an intravenous iron infusion when:
- Oral iron hasn't worked after a reasonable trial
- Side effects make tablets impossible to keep taking
- Iron levels are very low, or need correcting quickly, for example before surgery or later in pregnancy
- A gut condition means iron isn't absorbed well from tablets
- Ongoing blood loss outpaces what tablets can replace
An infusion delivers a full dose directly into the bloodstream in a single appointment, bypassing the gut entirely. Iron stores are replenished far faster than with tablets.
What an infusion involves
Intravenous iron is a prescription medicine. Your doctor chooses the product and dose, and the infusion is administered by a nurse or doctor who monitors you throughout. Modern iron preparations are generally well tolerated, but there are risks to understand, including skin staining if iron leaks from the vein, and uncommon allergic reactions. A good clinic will walk you through these before you consent. Read more in what to expect at your iron infusion.
Questions worth asking your GP
- What's causing my iron deficiency, and is that being addressed too?
- How low are my levels, and how urgently do they need correcting?
- If tablets are the plan, how long before we recheck?
- If an infusion is the plan, which product, and where can I have it done?
Iron deficiency should always be investigated before it's treated, because the cause matters as much as the level. Your GP is the right starting point. If an infusion is prescribed, Fjör administers iron infusions in the Geelong CBD by appointment, with your prescription. Learn more about iron infusions at Fjör.