IV Iron Injection (Ferinject)
Put the spring back in your step! Iron deficiency is a common cause for tiredness/fatigue, headache, and muscle/joint aches.
As well as addressing what may be the underlying cause for your iron deficiency, we can replace the iron you are deficient in and top up your body's iron stores quickly and easily with an IV iron injection. By getting the iron put directly into your vein, you can skip months of daily oral iron supplements that commonly cause gastric upset, nausea, and constipation. Iron injection completely bypasses the gut, which is especially helpful if the reason for your iron deficiency is poor absorption from the gut!
After the iron injection your body will start gradually absorbing and utilising the iron. If low iron was the cause of your fatigue, you will notice a difference by the 4-6 week mark when you have a follow up blood test to check how much your iron levels have increased - though many patients report noticing benefit sooner than this.
On the Day
The whole procedure takes 45 - 60 minutes, but the injection only makes up 15 minutes of this and the rest is preparation and observation time - so make sure you bring a book or a friend to chat to!
Dr. Tosch helps run our IV clinic, she has years of cannulation experience, performs iron injections every week, and has never had a serious complication (staining or anaphylaxis). On the day Dr. Tosch will answer any questions you may have about the procedure and check you understand all points in the consent form. A plastic cannula will be inserted into a vein in your arm, and the iron will be slowly injected over about 15 minutes. After the iron injection you will be observed for 30 minutes and the doctor will check your vital signs such as blood pressure and pulse. You will receive a blood form to do in 4-6 weeks to check how well the injection worked.
Who Can Have an Iron Injection?
You will need to have the following blood tests, and meet the listed criteria in order to be eligible for iron infusion
Low iron stores. Ferritin must be less than 35 or if you have chronic heart failure less than 100.
Blood count. Haemoglobin needs to be checked as it is used in the calculation of your iron dose.
Liver function tests. Liver enzymes must be normal or it may not be safe for you to have the iron medication.
Phosphate. Phosphate must be above 0.8 in order for iron to be safely given without causing hypophosphataemia (low phosphate).
We require you to provide copies of these blood results prior to your appointment.
Important Information
1) Ferinject cannot be given to children under 12, or women in early (weeks 0 - 16) or late (36 weeks plus) stages of pregnancy.
2) Common short-lived side effects are: headache, dizziness, nausea, skin reaction.
3) There is a risk of Ferinject causing hypophosphataemia (low phosphate) for this reason your phosphate levels must be checked prior to the injection, and will be checked again 4-6 weeks after the injection. If phosphate is low you will usually be placed on a high phosphate diet and the level will be checked again in a fortnight.
4) There are reports of Ferinject uncommonly causing long-lasting brown staining near the injection site - giving the iron by direct injection instead of infusion allows more control and feedback, theoreticically mitigating some of this risk.
5) There is a rare risk of anaphylaxis (face/neck/mouth swelling, shortness of breath) with administration of any IV substance, so it is important patients are observed for 30 minutes afterwards.
6) Depending on your weight and dose of iron required, you may need two injections a week apart.
Fees for IV Iron Injection
Medicare card holders
Net/Gap Cost: $227.10
Up Front Costs: $310 procedure fee
Medicare Rebate: $82.90
The Ferinject medication costs approx $30, or $7.30 with concession card from a pharmacy.
Patients who don’t have a Medicare card
$310 procedure fee.
The Ferinject medication costs approx $200-$300 from a pharmacy. Prices vary by pharmacy.
If you have health insurance you may be able to claim back some of the costs.
An iron injection can be booked by speaking with one of our friendly receptionists. You will be required to provide bloods showing: full blood count, liver function tests, phosphate, and iron studies - to ensure iron injection is safe for you.
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An IV infusion involves hanging the iron and letting it drip via gravity or a pump slowly into the vein via a cannula.
An IV injection involves a doctor or nurse manually pushing the iron into the vein via a cannula.
Both processes are painless (only inserting the cannula should hurt) but an injection involves a lower volume of fluid, is quicker, and is more controlled. By having someone with you one-on-one, the risk of skin staining should be lower in the unlikely event that the cannula moves out of the vein and into the surrounding tissue, because the practitioner should feel resistance and you will be able to tell them immediately if there is any discomfort. We take every precaution to avoid skin staining, so even though it involves more practitioner time to do an injection rather than an infusion, it is worth taking the extra care.
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An IV iron injection, a type of iron infusion, is an effective treatment for iron deficiency or iron deficiency anemia, aimed at raising iron levels in the body. This procedure is beneficial for patients with low iron experiencing side effects from oral iron supplements or inadequate iron absorption from the gut. The treatment, performed at our clinic, involves an iron injection directly into a vein, bypassing the gut.
The suitability of this treatment and associated costs should be discussed with Evergreen Doctors.
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Ferinject is a type of intravenous (IV) iron used in iron infusions to treat conditions like iron deficiency or iron deficiency anaemia. Administered directly into a vein during an iron infusion procedure, Ferinject helps increase iron levels in your body.
Ferinject doesn’t need to be stored in the fridge and usually has an expiry of two years. You need a prescription from your GP to buy it from the pharmacy. Buy it ahead of time before your procedure and bring the vials to your appointment.
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An iron injection delivers iron directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the gut. This is particularly beneficial for patients with poor iron absorption from the gut or who experience side effects like nausea or constipation from oral iron supplements.
The procedure of an iron injection allows for rapid elevation of iron levels, which can provide quicker relief from symptoms of iron deficiency, and is helpful for patients who have trouble remembering to take oral iron.
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At Evergreen Doctors, the iron injection process is well-organised for your comfort and safety. The whole procedure takes 45 - 60 minutes, with the iron injection itself lasting about 15 minutes.
Before the iron injection, Dr Tosch will answer any questions and ensure you understand the consent form. A plastic cannula is inserted into your arm, and the iron is slowly injected.
Post-injection, you'll be observed for 30 minutes at our clinic as your vital signs like blood pressure and pulse are checked. This observation period is crucial to monitor for any side effects, such as an allergic reaction.
Following your visit, Evergreen Doctors will provide a blood form for a test in 4-6 weeks to assess the iron levels and effectiveness of the iron injection. You should follow up these results with your usual GP.
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Yes! As long as you are between 16 and 36 weeks pregnant. We cannot give iron infusions to women in early (0 - 16 weeks) or late (36 + weeks) pregnancy. If you’re in late pregnancy and need an iron infusion, your obstetrician can organise this at hospital for you.
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Yes! Most doctors will not give iron to children under 14. However iron is a special interest of Dr. Tosch and she is experienced with giving iron to children aged 12 and up. The most important thing is that they’re willing! If your child is under 12 and has been recommended an iron infusion, this will need to be arranged with your specialist in a hospital.