If you often feel like you are low on energy and experience shortness of breath, then you might be facing a nutritional deficiency. Generally, both of these symptoms point out that your organs are not getting the required amount of oxygen from your blood. If these symptoms pair with poor focus and dizziness, then your iron level might have dropped.
Low iron levels are not rare. In the US, around 9% of the population aged two and older has anemia. It is often more prominent among women, especially due to menstrual cycles that can lead to an imbalance in iron levels. On top of all this, surveys have also shown that around 14% of US adults have absolute iron deficiency and 15% have functional iron deficiency.
Since iron is an important element that also helps in the transportation of oxygen in the body (via hemoglobin), low iron levels can be a cause of concern. That’s why you should look for clinics that offer iron infusions and also learn the different types of iron infusions.
Since this is a long-term process, post-iron-infusion care is also important.
How is an iron infusion done?
You are recommended an iron infusion when your body is not responding to oral iron tablets or liquids. With the help of an iron infusion, iron is directly put in your bloodstream, so your body can easily absorb it, and your iron levels can be restored faster.
An iron infusion injects iron directly into your vein.
Since the absorption is directly in your blood, it does not need to be metabolized in the liver or kidneys, and this is also the recommended way for people with chronic kidney disease.
Types of iron infusions patients may hear about
It is important to identify the different types of iron infusions. Not all iron infusions may be suitable for you, and it will depend on your medical history and the diagnosis.
The iron infusions recommended nowadays are:
- Ferric carboxymaltose
- Ferumoxytol
- Iron sucrose
- Sodium ferric gluconate complex
- Iron dextran
You might need one treatment, or based on your diagnosis, you may need repeated infusions, spaced one week apart.
When you are looking for iron infusion clinics in Mesa, you should opt for clinics that will actually guide you in this process. In Mesa, Natural and Holistic Medical Center has professionals who will look into your medical history, body tolerance levels, and then recommend the right type of iron infusion for you. You will also be guided on why a specific treatment suits you.
What to expect during and after treatment
An iron infusion may take 15 to 30 minutes for the infusion itself. However, a lot of time is spent on safety, where the patient is prepared and observed. Monitoring also takes time so one visit can last for 2-3 hours. After the infusion, the patients are observed for 30 minutes to ensure that there are no reactions to the infusion. Improvement in symptoms may start over several days to a week, not always on the same day.
What not to do after an iron infusion
While it is true that iron infusions get directly absorbed in the body and patients can get back to normal activity, professionals recommend certain precautions:
- Do not restart oral iron too soon: You might already be taking oral iron tablets, but need an added boost from an iron infusion. After the infusion, you should wait for around 5 days before restarting on oral tablets. This is because your body will be adjusting to the iron infusion, and restarting oral iron too soon can lead to excess iron.
- Do not do heavy lifting with the treated arm for 24 hours: The IV site should be protected and can be painful, so heavy lifting is not recommended.
- Follow-up testing: You should keep in contact actively with your doctor and do blood tests 2 to 4 weeks after the infusion to check whether iron levels have improved.
It is possible that other symptoms can begin after an infusion. This can range from headache, dizziness, nausea to muscle or joint pain, a metallic taste, flushing, or blood pressure changes. It can be a symptom of high blood iron levels and would need urgent medical assistance.
You should immediately call your clinic if side effects do not settle after a few days. This is why you would need a clinic that listens to you, monitors your symptoms, and guides you so that even if unusual symptoms happen, you are not scared but can take the step to call your clinic. Plus, post-infusion follow-ups and treatments also become part of the plan that the right clinic will share with you post consultation.
At Natural Holistic Medical Center, the right plan does not stop at giving an infusion. You are given the right workup, the treatment plan, and most importantly, recovery guidance.
The treatment strategy is not a miracle cure but helps patients move from low iron levels and fatigue towards steadier energy and better quality of life as they function in day-to-day activities.