Hunter Blood Group

Our Services

Iron Infusions

If oral iron therapy is not tolerated or effective, an intravenous infusion of iron can replenish iron stores quickly.

Iron infusions are administered in our purpose-build infusion room by experienced nurses, supervised by one of our haematologists.

Our nurses are all experienced haematology nurses, with expertise in inserting cannulas and administering treatments. If you have 'difficult veins' or have had a previous failed infusion, please let us know at the time of booking.

We provide iron infusions for adults 16 years and older. If your doctor has recommended an iron infusion, you will need a referral to one of our doctors.

Infusions are by appointment only at our rooms in Hunter Street. There is a gap fee of $129 for the service. Note: you will not be able to claim the gap fee from your insurance.

#Referrals

We will process the referral and send you a confirmation SMS with a link to book your infusion. Alternatively, you can call the rooms directly to book your appointment.

#Prescription

Intravenous iron is funded by the PBS, and a prescription is required. Your own doctor will usually prescribe this for you and you will need to bring the iron with you to the appointment. Most community pharmacies keep intravenous iron in stock.

If you don't have a prescription, our doctors can provide one after they have had a chance to look at your referral.

We generally recommend either Ferinject (ferric carboxymaltose; maximum dose 1g per infusion) or Monofer (ferric derisomaltose; maximum dose 1.5g per infusion).

#What is iron?

Iron is a natural mineral that is used by all cells in the human body to function properly. It is most abundant in red blood cells that carry oxygen throughout your body. Iron deficiency results when iron losses or the body’s requirements exceed absorption.

Iron deficiency can affect several organs in the body, but because most of the body’s iron is used by red cells, one of the earliest consequences of iron deficiency is anaemia (a reduction in the total red blood cells and oxygen carrying capacity). When anaemia is due to iron deficiency, it is referred to as iron deficiency anaemia. Iron deficiency is the most common blood disorder in the world and accounts for 50% of all causes of anaemia globally.

#What causes iron deficiency?

Anyone can develop iron deficiency. People most at risk are women (due to monthly periods and childbirth), people >65 (reduced absorption and chronic disease) and people on blood thinners (chronic blood loss). Other causes of iron deficiency include:

  • Low intake of iron – vegetarian/vegan diet, malnutrition
  • Decreased absorption in the gut – Gastric surgery, Coeliac disease/Gluten-induced enteropathy, autoimmune atrophic gastritis, Ant-acid medications
  • Chronic blood loss – Bleeding from gastrointestinal tract, heavy periods, bleeding from the urine, Blood-thinning medications, inherited bleeding disorders
  • Increased iron requirement states – Pregnancy (2nd and 3rd trimester), infants, pre-schooler children and adolescents
  • Other medical disorders – Kidney disease, Heart failure, Inflammatory bowel disease, Post-operative anaemia from major surgery

#What are the symptoms of iron deficiency?

Symptoms of iron deficiency can be mild and confused with many other medical problems. Symptoms can be due to iron deficiency anaemia or due to severe iron deficiency without anaemia. Common symptoms include:

  • Fatigue/weakness
  • Mental fog
  • Restless legs syndrome
  • Headache
  • Exercise intolerance
  • Shortness of breath on exertion

#How is iron deficiency diagnosed?

Your Doctor can diagnose iron deficiency with blood tests. This includes a full blood count (FBC) to evaluate if there is anaemia and iron studies to check the amount of iron in your body (ferritin level). Iron studies can be affected by a number of conditions such as infection, inflammation or chronic diseases. Your Doctor can interpret these results with you.

#How is iron deficiency treated?

There are two important aspects to the treatment of iron deficiency. The first is to find the underlying cause of iron deficiency and address this (see above). The second is to replace the iron, to improve or prevent anaemia and its symptoms. Your Doctor will be able to advise on a specific plan suited to your needs.

Iron deficiency can be treated by increasing your dietary iron intake, taking iron tablets or receiving an intravenous iron infusion. The fastest way to increase iron levels, correct iron deficiency anaemia and improve symptoms is with an iron infusion. An infusion may be used if you do not tolerate oral tablets due to side effects such as constipation/gastric irritation or if there is an inadequate improvement with tablets. Your Doctor can advise you whether an iron infusion is recommended for you.

It can take between one week to one month for symptoms of iron deficiency to start improving even after total body stores have been restored following 1-2 iron infusions.

#What is an intravenous iron infusion?

Intravenous (IV) iron infusion involves delivering iron directly into your blood via a needle into a vein. There are a number of different IV preparations used around the world. In our Newcastle rooms, we use an iron infusion which has one of the safest side effect profiles based on international studies. The iron infusion takes up to 15 minutes followed by a 30 minute period of observation to make sure there are no problems. You may need more than one iron infusion to restore iron levels back to normal depending on the total body deficit.

#What are the side effects of an iron infusion?

Modern iron infusion preparations are very safe and have been used around the world for many years. Most people having an iron infusion will not have any reaction. If a reaction to an iron infusion do occur, it is usually short lived and resolves after the iron infusion is completed. This can include:

  • Nausea, cramps
  • Headache/dizziness, Flushing
  • Rash
  • High/Low blood pressure
  • Chest pain, breathing problems
  • Injection site reaction
  • Permanent skin staining (let your nurse know if there is pain during the infusion to avoid this)
  • Anaphylaxis (Reported predominantly with older preparations of iron which we do not use. Estimated to occur in less than 1 in 200,000 people receiving iron infusions.)

If a reaction does occur, our specialist medical team will be able to provide prompt, appropriate medical care.

#Are iron infusions safe in pregnancy?

The body’s demand for iron is three times greater during pregnancy and iron is needed for healthy foetal development as well as to prevent anaemia for the mother after childbirth. Oral iron remains first-line treatment for iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia in pregnancy. However, if this is not tolerated, ineffective or a faster response is required, your Doctor may recommend an iron infusion. IV iron infusions are safe and well tolerated in the second and third trimester. They are not performed in the first trimester due to a lack of safety data.

If your obstetrician or GP has recommended an iron infusion during the second or third trimester, please let us know you are pregnant at the time of booking.

#What happens on the day?

You should have received a prescription for iron from your referring Doctor. If you do not have one, let us know in advance so we can provide one for you. You should fill that prescription at a pharmacy and bring it with you.

After arriving at our Newcastle (Hunter Street) rooms, you will be given a health screening questionnaire to ensure an iron infusion is appropriate for you. You will then meet our Nurse and Specialist Haematologist to discuss the iron infusion, the procedure and side effects.

The Nurse will insert a cannula into a vein in your arm through which the iron infusion will be delivered. The iron infusion will be delivered over 15-30 minutes. The nurse will stay with you throughout the procedure to monitor you. After the infusion, you will be observed for 15-30 minutes to ensure there are no late side effects.

#How to prepare for an iron infusion?

It is normal to feel anxious on the day of an iron infusion. You can help reduce anxiety by familiarising yourself with the procedure through our information sheets or discussing the procedure with your Doctor. Some basic things you can do to prepare for the infusion:

  • Eat your usual breakfast/lunch meal. There is no need to fast
  • Drink plenty of water
  • Take your regular medications as usual
  • Wear comfortable clothing

#Cost

Please see here for details of fees.

#Additional resources on iron infusions

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