Iron Infusion Service Available in Inner Brisbane 

​

​

What is Iron deficiency / Iron deficiency anaemia?

​

Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutritional problem in the world including Australia, affecting up to 20% of the population. Iron is required to produce healthy red blood cells and the insufficient level of iron can cause low number of red cells. The low number of red blood cells is called anaemia. The lack of iron / red blood cells can initially be mild so that it is unnoticed but as the body becomes more deficient in iron, the symptoms can become obvious.

​

The signs and symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia may include:
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Pale skin
- Shortness of breath
- Headache
- Hair loss
- Brittle nails

​

Who is at risk of iron deficiency?
- Women of child-bearing age - due to menstrual periods
- Children - especially during rapid growth periods
- Vegetarians whose diets are not rich in iron
- People with gastrointestinal diseases such as coeliac disease
- People with eating disorder
- People with previous history of weight loss/bariatric surgery
- People with history of cancer

What is the treatment?

Mild iron deficiency can be treated with iron-rich diet and/or oral iron supplements. However this is not always the case, as the rise in the iron level can be minimal despite taking daily tablets.

It is also not uncommon to notice some side effects from high dose oral iron supplements. The patients can often experience gastrointestinal side effects such as constipation, nausea and dark stool. 

If your iron deficiency is moderate to severe or you cannot tolerate the oral iron supplement, the recommended treatment is intravenous iron infusion.
Iron infusion is a fast, safe and effective way to restore your iron level.
This involves delivering Ferinject (Intravenous iron medication) through a vein for a short period of time. 

Most patients experience improvement in their symptoms after the infusion within a couple of weeks.

Book online or Call Nundah Village Family Practice on 07 3266 6622 for your first consultation to plan your iron infusion.

 

Reference:

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/iron-deficiency-adults 
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/iron-deficiency-anemia

https://www.hematology.org/Patients/Anemia/Iron-Deficiency.aspx