Conditions We Treat » Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis make oral iron largely ineffective. IV iron bypasses your gut entirely and goes straight to where it is needed.
45%
Of IBD patients have iron deficiency anaemia at any one tim
100%
Bioavailability of IV iron, versus limited gut absorption of oral iron.
BSG
Recommends IV iron as preferred route in active IBD
Why it happens
Why IBD causes iron deficiency
If you have Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, iron deficiency is not just possible. It is extremely common. In fact, up to 45% of IBD patients have iron deficiency anaemia at any given time.
There are two main reasons. First, inflamed bowel tissue loses blood. In active disease, chronic low-level blood loss adds up significantly over time. Second, the inflammation itself impairs your gut’s ability to absorb iron from food and supplements.
This means that even if you are eating a diet high in iron and taking oral supplements, your body may simply not be absorbing them properly. The tablets sit in an inflamed gut that cannot process them effectively, and the side effects, which worsen inflammation, make them even harder to tolerate.
IV iron is the solution specifically because it skips the gut entirely.
What you might feel
Symptoms of iron deficiency with IBD
These symptoms can be difficult to separate from the IBD itself. But if your disease is otherwise controlled and you are still feeling these things, your iron levels are worth checking.
Fatigue beyond the disease
Exhaustion that seems disproportionate to your current IBD activity. Low iron amplifies tiredness significantly.
Breathlessness
More hair than usual coming out in the brush or shower. One of the most visible signs of ongoing iron deficiency.
Poor concentration
Brain fog, difficulty focusing, feeling mentally sluggish. Often underestimated as a symptom of anaemia.
Pale complexion
Looking washed out. Most visible in the face, gums, or lower eyelids.
Heart palpitations
A racing or fluttering heartbeat as the heart compensates for reduced oxygen-carrying capacity.
Hair thinning
More hair than usual coming out. One of the most visible and distressing signs of iron deficiency.
What the British Society of Gastroenterology says
The BSG guidelines for management of iron deficiency anaemia in adults (2021) recommend IV iron as the preferred route for patients with IBD who have active inflammation, a poor response to oral iron, or who cannot tolerate oral supplementation. IV iron is not a last resort, it is the clinically recommended first choice for many IBD patients.
Who qualifies
Are you eligible?
Every patient is assessed before treatment. These are the criteria we use as a guide for IBD patients specifically.
01
Confirmed iron deficiency with IBD
Blood tests showing low ferritin, low haemoglobin, or low transferrin saturation in a patient with diagnosed Crohn’s or colitis.
02
Active inflammation impairing absorption
Even if your IBD is relatively controlled, active gut inflammation significantly reduces how much iron you can absorb from tablets.
03
Oral iron not tolerated or not working
If tablets are worsening your gut symptoms, causing nausea or constipation, or simply not raising your ferritin, IV iron is the appropriate step.
04
Symptoms affecting your quality of life
Iron deficiency on top of IBD significantly compounds fatigue and wellbeing. You do not need to wait until your levels are critically low.
Oral iron not working
for you?
There is a better option. Book a consultation and we will review your blood results and IBD history together.
Or email hello@londonironinfusionclinic.co.uk