Question:
Does IV Iron therapy give you the same side effects as by mouth iron?

Since my iron levels are so low my dr is considering the IV therapy. Does IV iron burn as it is infusing? does it may you have cramps and constipation likethe oral iron? Thanks!    — kelley G. (posted on September 29, 2004)

September 29, 2004
I've had 3 iron IV treatments in the last 2 weeks. It does not burn while going in the vein. I didn't feel anything in particular anywhere on my body or in my head while the iron was going in. After the treatments, I was a little tired but then again, I'm tired every day anyway. My iron level, feratin, was 1 when I went in for my first IV. The IV treatments take a couple of hours and where I live, are done at the hospital. I have had no side effects from it like you get with iron pills. No constipation or nausea. Now I'm waiting for the treatments to kick in and get my blood where it's supposed to be. BTW, I took ferrous gluconate, 325 mg. (35mg elemental iron) 3 pills a day for 8 months and all it did was constipate me into misery and my iron never went above a 7. My doc wants to see my iron reach 14 then we can relax for a few months ;) My next blood work is scheduled for December, the iron I just received should have done it's work by then and if I need more they will schedule me for another round of IV therapy. All in all, IV iron therapy is a breeze.
   — mary ann T.

September 29, 2004
I agree with the previous poster. It is a simple way to get iron but very time consuming as they have to drip it in slow so you do not get a reaction to it. For me it was done 4 days in a row, 4-5 hours each day. Just one warning. Make sure you check with insurance and get it done how they will pay it. Mine was fully paid, but Injust saw the EOB for it and the charge was a little over $4000 for the 4 treatments. Insurance paid it at 90% because that was the agreement with the clinic/hospital. YIKES! $900 a treatment. I just would not want anyone to end up with a very rude surprise. This was slighty less than 1/3 of what my hospital bill was for my WLS, including 3 days in the hospital. Although they were different hospitals. I suspect if it was done at the one I had my WLS at, the charge would have been less, which is amazing considering they are the best hospital in the area and a level II trauma hospital.
   — zoedogcbr

September 30, 2004
I just posted a response to your other question. I received LOW dose infusions which took under 30 minutes but I went for 36 days straight. I got pretty gassy/crampy at first and constipation was NOT the problem for the first few days...just the opposite...The infusions were not painful at all except when they placed the mid-line in my arm. They did this so they didn't have to start a new IV every day. When your levels get too low I truly believe that infusions are the only way to go.
   — Pamela B.