Anyone had intravenous iron infusions?

[Twoweekcruise]

I'm struggling with the side effects of iron supplements and my iron levels are still low (9.6).
My GP wants to refer me for intravenous infusions.
I'm a bit apprehensive as I've read online you can get some horrible side effects and I'm worried that, unlike tablets, which I can stop if I get side effects, I obviously can't do this with the infusions.
Has anyone has this and how was it?

Hi. I had iron infusions last month. You actually get 2 infusions 1 week apart.
Only side effect I had was a small amount of muscle pain in following 24 hours but pain relief managed that.
None of the constant nausea and vomiting I had with oral tablets.
Not had my blood results back yet but they were pretty certain my iron will be in recommended level.

Thanks jaytee that's reassuring. Have you started to feel better with the extra iron?

I have but mine is only 1 infusion. I have no side effects and it maintains my levels for about 18 months and I feel better from the next day.

I had one when I was pregnant. I felt great afterwards no side effects at all

I had one after 5 years of struggling to keep my iron levels normal on 3 tablets a day. I felt a little queasy at times when it was happening and sleepy afterwards but I quickly felt a lot better.

I take the spatone sachet as an iron supplement and there are no side effect at all. My iron isn't as low as yours, so maybe it is a good idea to have the transfusion and then give a go at the sachet to keep it up.

Coffee and tea interferes with iron absorption, no matter if normal or decaf, so any supplements needs to be taken at least two hours after the last sip and before the next. I also take spirulina in capsules

I've had them during pregnancy - no side effects at all

I'm having them again along with supplements my iron is currently 4. The first day or two I've felt nauseated but I do with the tablets anyway.

Everything may have side effects, even if one person in 25,000 has a side effect it has to be listed. Good luck :)

I had IV iron and did feel fluey for a few days afterwards.
There is a small risk of anaphylaxis, which is less with iron sucrose (venofer) than with the older dextran. I was having mine abroad and so privately and so could ask for the venofer. But you're in hospital anyway so they're prepared. I don't think there are any long-term side-effects.
My ferritin is 6 at the moment and I wish my GP would offer IV. Do you have anaemia or other conditions as well?

Thanks all. I have tried everything (including spatone which I'm still taking) but nothing is shifting it passed 9 (heavy periods are the bane of my life 😔). The anaphylaxis risk worries me, no matter how small though!
Aunty my gp has put off referring me for sometime as he isn't sure which department will take me, so it still may not go through!

Btw, just out of curiosity, what symptoms do you all get from such low iron level?

Youre lucky. I didnt get infusions until my levels went down to 7.

I couldnt walk up a flight of stairs without being out of breath as if Id just sprinted, had palpitations several times a day, tired constantly, couldn't ride a bike on the flat, was deathly pale.

The iron infusions gave me a bad headache and diarrhoea but for less than a day. Far better than oral iron.

Maybe the hospital will refuse me if my levels are not that low, gp said they should be at least 13?! Hopefully, if I do get accepted I'll only need one 'dose' and I'll see if I can keep it topped up with Spatone. I'm fed up with the constant tiredness, breathlessness and weak/shaky feelings, just want to get back to normal.

I had no side effects. Had to have 3 units of (iron-enriched?) blood when 8 months pregnant. Hadn't felt tired but a blood test showed dangerously low levels of iron.

I was a bit worried about anaphylaxis as I've had it before, but it was fine. Low ferritin causes me to be crazy tired, but also hair loss, restless legs and can contributes to MH issues such as depression and just fuzzy headedness. Some doctors say you should be at least 50-70 ferritin to feel properly well.
Meanwhile are you able to address your heavy periods eg with a Mirena?

auntyelle I've all those symptoms too and my ferritin is 8 but my gp just told me to take iron supplements and that was it.

aunty am hoping to have ablation to sort out the problems.

They also look at your ferritin too.
I'm only just anaemic but my Ferratin was extremely. Low. They told me 4/ 5 weeks for it to kick in. But I've found in less breathless already and my muscles don't feel so week.

I've had one, no side effects, felt better almost immediately. (Am not in UK though so my levels were not ridiculously low).

My friend had one and she has a massive brown mark on her arm where I think some iron dripped at the end of the transfusion??? Or got under the skin???. They did warn us both it might happen. Only cosmetic but something to be aware of.

I have had loads over the years, no side effects, instantly better. I carry an epipen too.

My hgb level has often been 5-6 on testing and various gps have referred me without a second thought.

I did manage to keep it at bay for three years recently with floradix but I am now v anaemic again.

I am booked in for a hysterectomy shortly - will be pleased to get that out of the way!

I had one earlier in the year. No immediate side effects, although I did feel like I'd been hit by a bus for about 2 weeks afterwards, but after that I felt a lot better.
Although I do think that was more to do with the fact that my body hadn't seen iron for a long time and my iron levels were well under 4 despite a blood transfusion 2 months earlier. now the blood transfusion on the other hand made me feel instantly better
Unfortunately my iron had dropped again and I'm now trying sytron (the liquid iron) in a last ditch attempt to avoid another infusion. I can't tolerate the tablets at all

If the iron tablets themselves aren't upping your levels above 9 has your folate been checked?

What's Sytron rozen is it the same as Spatone? I'm not sure of the exact figures but gp said levels were 9 in Jan now up to 9.6 but my iron stores were almost zero!?

Sytron is the liquid one they give to kids. Will check the bottle when I get home to see what more it says. It's an odd cherry flavor.

Is Sytron palatable?

Sytron is Sodium feredetate. Says 5ml contains 190mg sodium feredetate equivalent to 27.5mg of elemenatal iron.

From a quick google, spatone doesn't have that much elemental iron (elemental is what can be absorbed by the body).
Sytron is prescribed by doctor.

niki yes it's palatable. Its like a light syrup, kind of cough mixture consistency, but tastes of cherry drops (the sweets).
Considering the tablets make me vomit within 10minutes of taking them, and then I feel nauseous for the rest of the day. Sytron doesn't make me sick, although if I take too much wasn't paying attention and used the wrong measuring spoon then i do feel nauseous.