Treatment
What is an IV
iron infusion?
Everything you need to know about how IV iron works, what to expect during your appointment, and why it works better than tablets for many patients.
The basics
What is IV iron and how does it work?
IV stands for intravenous. An IV iron infusion delivers iron directly into your bloodstream through a small cannula placed in a vein in your arm. It bypasses the digestive system entirely, which is why it works so much better than tablets for many people.
When you take iron tablets, they have to be absorbed through your gut before reaching your blood. For many patients, this absorption is limited, and the side effects, including nausea, constipation, and stomach cramps, make the tablets difficult to tolerate. IV iron skips all of this. The full dose goes straight to where it is needed
Once the iron is in your bloodstream, your body stores it in the liver and bone marrow, and draws on those stores to produce haemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen around your body. Most patients notice a meaningful improvement in energy and wellbeing within two to four weeks.
The iron we use
Ferinject (ferric carboxymaltose)
We use Ferinject exclusively at London Iron Infusion Clinic. It is one of the most widely used and extensively studied IV iron preparations available, and it allows us to administer a full therapeutic dose in a single short session, something older IV iron products could not do.
Ferinject is licensed and approved for use in the UK and is used in NHS hospitals and private clinics across the country.
1,000 mg
Maximum dose in a single session
15 - 30
Minutes for the infusion itself
~ 60
Minutes total including observation
During your appointment
What happens on the day?
You arrive and get settled
You will be welcomed by Beverly and shown to a comfortable treatment chair. She will check your details, confirm your blood results have been reviewed by Dr Bhadresha, and explain everything before she begins.
A small cannula is placed in your arm
Beverly places a small cannula into a vein, typically on the back of your hand or inside your elbow. Most patients find this no more uncomfortable than a routine blood test. Once the cannula is in, the infusion itself is completely painless.
The infusion runs for 15 to 30 minutes
The Ferinject solution runs through the cannula into your vein. You can sit comfortably, use your phone, read, or simply relax. Beverly will monitor you throughout. Most patients describe the experience as completely straightforward.
You stay for a 30-minute observation period
After the infusion is complete, you remain at the clinic for 30 minutes while Beverly monitors your blood pressure, pulse, and general wellbeing. This is standard clinical practice after every IV iron infusion. Reactions are rare, but we take safety seriously and are fully prepared.
You go home with written aftercare instructions
Before you leave, Beverly will give you a written aftercare sheet explaining what to expect over the coming days, what symptoms to watch for, and how to contact us if you have any concerns.
Safety
Is it safe?
IV iron is a well-established, widely used medical treatment. It is used routinely in NHS hospitals, cancer centres, renal units, and obstetric departments across the UK. Serious reactions are rare. For the vast majority of patients, the procedure is straightforward and well tolerated.
That said, IV iron is a medical procedure and should only be administered in a properly equipped clinical setting with trained staff. At London Iron Infusion Clinic, full resuscitation equipment is present at every session and our team is trained in the recognition and management of any adverse reactions.
Common and mild
Side effects most people notice
- Mild flushing or warmth during the infusion
- Slight headache or dizziness, usually brief
- Temporary discolouration at the injection site
- Mild nausea, uncommon and short-lived
Contraindications
- First trimester of pregnancy
- Prior serious hypersensitivity reaction to IV iron
- Iron overload conditions (e.g. haemochromatosis)
- Active systemic infection
Common questions
Things patients ask us
Will I feel better straight away?
Most patients notice an improvement in energy within one to two weeks, with the full benefit felt at around two to four weeks. Your body needs time to use the iron to produce new red blood cells, so improvements are gradual rather than immediate.
Does it hurt?
The cannula insertion feels similar to a routine blood test, a brief sharp sensation. Once in place, the infusion itself is completely painless. Most patients are surprised by how comfortable the whole process is.
Can I drive home afterwards?
Yes, in the vast majority of cases. Most patients drive home after the observation period without any difficulty. If you experience dizziness during the observation period, we will advise you to arrange alternative transport.
How many infusions will I need?
How is this different from a blood transfusion?
Very different. A blood transfusion involves receiving donated red blood cells from another person. An IV iron infusion delivers iron, a mineral, dissolved in a solution. It does not involve any blood products whatsoever. There is no cross-matching, no donor blood, and no associated risks of blood-borne infections.
Can I exercise after the infusion?
We advise against strenuous exercise on the day of your infusion. Light activity is fine. You can resume normal exercise the following day in most cases. Dr Bhadresha or Beverly will advise you specifically based on your individual circumstances.
Ready to book
your infusion?
Same-week appointments available in Nine Elms. In person or online consultation to get started.
Or call 0207 207 6919 · Monday to Saturday 9am to 7pm