HOW DO I GET AN IRON INFUSION?
For patients in BC:
Your doctor can refer you directly for an iron infusion with a Naturopathic Doctor. Ensure the referral includes a ferritin result from the past 3 months falling below a specified level, and outlining the necessary dosage of iron required. If your ferritin level registers below 50, you qualify for at least one IV iron infusion.
​
Lacking a doctor's referral or are missing the ferritin lab value? No problem at all. Simply schedule an appointment and we will take a thorough history and get you a hematology/ferritin requisition. This requisition costs approximately $100 when run privately through a Naturopathic Doctor.
​
For Alberta patients:
IV iron is considered a prescription drug, and the Alberta scope of practice for Naturopathic Doctors does not include prescription rights. In other words, NDs in Alberta cannot prescribe or administer IV iron. IV iron will need to be facilitated through your MD if you live in Alberta.
IV IRON INFUSIONS
1 in 4 women are deficient in iron —a staggeringly high number considering the importance of iron in the body. Iron is required to make hemoglobin which carries oxygen within red blood cells throughout the body. Iron also plays an essential role in a functioning immune system. The challenge lies in the lack of awareness about the prevalence of iron deficiency and the effective strategies for treatment.
Symptoms of iron deficiency include feeling fatigued, cold hands and feet, brain fog, hair loss, weakness, restless leg syndrome, increased illness, dizziness, lightheadedness, headaches and shortness of breath to name a few.
​
Testing for iron levels (especially stored iron, ferritin) is crucial, as symptoms often masquerade as general fatigue. However, maintaining adequate iron levels through diet alone proves challenging for some, as this mineral faces barriers to absorption. Even oral iron may prove ineffective for certain individuals, leaving ferritin levels persistently low.
​
Compounding the issue is the steady loss of iron through menstrual bleeding, with each typical cycle resulting in the depletion of approximately 1 mg of iron daily. With this occurring, it compounds the issue further. ​
​
​
​
​
​
WHY INFUSIONS VS. ORAL?
The efficacy of oral iron can often be hindered by the side effects, leading to less than optimal compliance rates. Achieving normal iron levels through oral iron supplementation requires a considerable time frame of 6-12 months, and that is if we address the cause of the deficiency right away.
​
Enter a more efficient solution—infusions. This method offers a safe and effective route to elevate iron levels quickly, typically requiring just a single infusion. This becomes especially advantageous for those who find oral iron intake ineffective or face challenges in taking it consistently.
IRON IN PREGNANCY:
Essential for a healthy pregnancy, iron requirements go up significantly during fetal growth. In the third trimester alone, up to 65% of pregnant individuals experience iron deficiency. Opting for infusions proves effective in preventing and addressing this deficiency, mitigating risks and symptoms for both the mother and baby. Iron infusions can be done prior to conception, throughout pregnancy (in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters), and postpartum, ensuring comprehensive iron care at every stage.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
HOW OFTEN DO I NEED AN INFUSION & WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF INFUSIONS?
If you are not pregnant we use: ​Monoferric 1000mg if ferritin is less than 30ug/L, and Monoferric 500mg if ferritin is greater than 30ug/L.
​
Most patients will only need one infusion. This is confirmed through blood labs done 6-weeks after the infusion (we can provide the requisition for you), and we book a second infusion after the labs come back only if indicated.
​
If you are pregnant we use: Venofer (200mg) twice weekly, usually completing 5 infusions (1000mg), and re-testing to confirm if additional infusions are needed after that. Again, we wait 6-weeks to complete the blood labs.
​
​
​
WHAT IS THE COST INVESTMENT FOR EACH INFUSION?
Monoferric 1,000mg (if ferritin is <30):
-Infusion ($235) + 1,000mg dose ($600) = $835.
-This is likely a one time treatment unless the underlying cause of iron deficiency is not corrected.
​
Monoferric 500mg (if ferritin is >30):
-Infusion ($235) + 500mg dose ($320) = $555 once OR twice, depending on how high your levels rise after the first.
​
Venofer 200mg (if pregnant and ferritin is <50):
-Infusion ($190) + 200mg dose ($125) = $315 up to five times (or 1,000mg), before re-testing.
​
Note: If you have extended health benefits, some or all of these coats may be covered. The iron prescription itself falls under drug coverage and can usually be claimed with 80-100% reimbursement (depending on your drug plan). The cost of the infusion itself may or may not be covered depending on the type of plan you have for naturopathic services. You can always check with your benefits provider to understand your coverage.
​
​
​
HOW LONG DOES THE IV TAKE?
Please plan to allocate about 90 minutes for your initial infusion appointment at the office. The first infusion will be administered at a slower pace to ensure your comfort and adjustment. As you become more accustomed, subsequent infusions can be completed more efficiently.