Are Iron Infusions Safe?

Uses of Iron Infusions

These infusions are used to treat iron deficiency, especially in the following groups:

• Those who suffer from severe iron deficiency.
• People who have lost large amounts of blood due to certain cancers, ulcers, vaginal bleeding due to childbirth, or heavy menstrual periods.
• Those who do not get enough iron through their diet.
• People who take medications that affect the body's ability to use iron to produce hemoglobin in the blood, such as aspirin, heparin, and Coumadin.
• Patients with kidney failure.
• Pregnant women.
• Patients with inflammatory bowel disease who cannot take iron pills need iron infusions to compensate for iron deficiency.

Symptoms of iron deficiency

• Hair loss.
• Pale skin.
• Nail breakage.
• Lethargy.
• Extreme fatigue.
• Chest pain.
• Shortness of breath.
• Severe headache.
• Vertigo.
• Cold extremities.

Cause of iron deficiency

• Some chronic diseases such as intestinal infections and heart inflammation.
• Loss of large amounts of blood during an accident or surgery.
• Following a vegetarian diet, or one that does not contain sufficient sources of iron.
• Pregnancy, as a pregnant woman, needs twice the amount of iron and folic acid needed to build the fetus’s body and her own body.
• Problems with iron absorption.
• Taking some medications.
• Menstruation, during which a woman loses a monthly amount of blood as the lining of the uterus sheds and the egg bursts, is accompanied by symptoms of a lack of desire to eat, which leads to problems and malnutrition, which may decrease the iron level in the body.

What is an iron infusion?

Infusion is the transfer of iron intravenously through a catheter in a doctor's clinic or hospital. It differs from iron injections given intramuscularly in terms of effect and duration. The advantage of infusion is that the amount of iron gradually enters the bloodstream in small quantities to facilitate intervention in an allergic reaction.

Benefits of iron infusions

• Raising iron levels in the blood facilitates the production of hemoglobin and treats anemia.
• Iron deficiency compensation is available for those who cannot take iron pills due to problems or bleeding in the digestive system.
• Raises iron levels more quickly than many oral iron supplements.

Precautions

Iron infusions may not be suitable for everyone, as they may cause an allergic reaction and severe side effects that require immediate medical intervention.

The following are the most common side effects of iron infusions:

• An allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis appears in the form of breathing problems, swelling in various parts of the body, and an itchy skin rash.
• Swelling of the face, hands, arms, legs, and feet.
• Feeling dizzy and lightheaded.
• Severe headache.
• Low blood pressure.
• Nausea and cramps.
• Diarrhea or constipation.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Chest pain.
• Joint pain.

Therefore, iron infusions should be given in a clinic or medical center, and the patient should remain for a short period so that the medical staff can take necessary action if these side effects appear.

Iron infusions for pregnant women

Pregnant women need iron more than others, as their body's need for iron increases with the continued growth of the fetus, who absorbs iron from the mother's body to grow. This leads to a drop in iron levels in many pregnant women and their infection with anemia. Therefore, your doctor may prescribe iron infusions to compensate for your iron deficiency. Doctors prefer iron infusions for pregnant women over iron pills, which cause nausea, cramps, or constipation for pregnant women. It is worth noting that iron infusions are given during the second or third trimester of pregnancy, so there is no evidence yet that they are safe during the first trimester of pregnancy.

Differences between Iron infusions and Iron injections

Iron infusions are given into a vein through a catheter and take several hours, while injections are given intramuscularly within a few moments. Iron infusions are less painful than iron injections, and the complications resulting from them are less than those from injections, which may cause intramuscular bleeding and other complications. This makes iron infusions preferred by most doctors.

When do the effects of treatment appear?

It takes a few weeks for your hemoglobin to rise after iron infusions. It takes at least a week for your iron levels to begin improving. Many doctors recommend repeating the treatment every two weeks or so in small doses to treat your iron deficiency completely. However, symptoms of weakness felt by people with iron deficiency and anemia may gradually improve after receiving an iron infusion. It is important to note that this treatment is not magical; the diet must be modified, and iron must be obtained from natural sources to speed up the recovery process. The most important of these foods is

• Red meat.
• Green leafy vegetables.
•  Legumes.
• Consuming citrus fruits such as lemon with these foods ensures better iron absorption.

The Takeaway,

Iron deficiency is a widespread condition, especially in women and girls. You should check your blood iron and ferritin levels and treat any deficiency with supplements prescribed by your doctor. While iron pills help many people to compensate for iron deficiency, they are not suitable for everyone. Many people have difficulty absorbing iron through these pills for many reasons. In these cases, doctors prescribe an iron infusion to give the body sufficient amounts of iron in a short time and a controlled and safe medical environment.